The struggle committee fighting for justice to Mudasir Kamran, the research scholar from English and Foreign Languages University who had committed suicide on March 2, has called off the bandh imposed on the university campus on Monday, the tenth day of the struggle.
While there has not been any definitive promise from the university authorities, the committee representatives claimed that Vice-Chancellor Sunaina Singh has promised to constitute a committee chaired by a retired judge to probe into the incident.
“The V-C remained unyielding about our demands, and said she will need to contact the Ministry of Human Resources Development to take a decision. Today also, representatives from many organisations, including students’ unions from Osmania University and University of Hyderabad, met the V-C, demanding action against the Proctor,” said D. Kotesh, the coordinator of the struggle committee.
The struggle committee’s two major demands, suspension of the Proctor Harish Vijra, and payment of compensation to Mudasir’s family along with employment to a member of the family, have not been accepted by the university.
However, the committee has decided to call of the bandh and explore other alternatives vis-à-vis the spectre of a ‘zero year’, informed Mr. Kotesh.
“Tomorrow, we will go to the Osmania University police station and bring pressure upon the police to arrest Prof. Vijra. We will also consult an advocate, and initiate legal action against him,” he said.
Mudasir Kamran committed suicide a day after he had been summoned to the police station upon complaint by another student. Students’ bodies alleged Prof. Vijra’s role behind the police summons, and had been since agitating for his suspension.
Upon contacting, V-C Sunaina Singh said a judicial personality from outside would be asked to look into the incident “if need be”.
