DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Tuesday demanded a CBI probe into the death of Muthukrishanan, who was pursuing his PhD in the Jawaharlal Nehru University, and the killing of AIIMS student Saravanan sometime ago.
Recalling Muthukrishnan’s father’s assertion that his son was not a coward to commit suicide, Mr. Stalin said that the claim of Delhi Police Commissioner Chinmoy Biswas that the student was said to have been depressed for some time over some personal issues was unacceptable.
“Muthukrishnan earlier studied in Hyderabad University and participated in the protest seeking justice for the death of Rohit Vemula. The Delhi police cannot brush aside this fact,” Mr. Stalin said, recalling Muthukrishnan’s Facebook message complaining about the troubles he was facing in his research programme.
“The message has exposed the problems faced by a Dalit student at the JNU. The police should not turn a blind eye to his complaints,” he said.
‘Students in fear’
Pointing out that the inquiry into the murder of AIIMS student Saravanan had not moved to the next stage, Mr. Stalin said Muthukrishnan’s death had caused fear among Tamil students pursuing higher studies in Delhi.
“The Centre should take steps to provide protection to students going to Delhi for higher studies. Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami should immediately contact Prime Minister Narendra Modi and prevail upon him to order a proper probe into the death,” he said.
Call for legislation
The State committee of CPI(M) on Tuesday demanded the enactment of a ‘Rohith Act’ by the Centre to end caste-based discrimination on campuses.
In a statement, state secretary G. Ramakrishnan said that despite Rohith Vemula’s suicide at the University of Hyderabad last year, no efforts were undertaken to end the culture of discrimination on campuses.
He noted that even though so few Dalit and tribal students are admitted to institutes of higher education, the suicide rates among them are high.
Saying that ample security should be provided to students staying away from homes, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Su. Thirunavukkarasar recalled that Rohith Vemula’s death had led to an agitation against the BJP-led Central government.
He said that the police should not ignore Mr. Muthukrishnan’s father’s words that his son would not commit suicide.
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam president Vijayakant demanded a thorough investigation into Muthukrishnan’s death.
He said that Muthukrishnan’s family had maintained that he was not under stress and that he would not commit suicide.
Impartial inquiry
In his statement, Tamil Maanila Congress president G.K. Vasan made no reference to Mr. Muthukrishnan’s caste identity. Instead, he called for an impartial investigation to determine the cause of the research scholar’s untimely death.
Thamizhaga Vazhvurimal Katchi founder Velmurugan said there was no security for Tamil Nadu students in central institutions.
Manithaneya Makkal Katchi president M.H. Jawahirullah noted that Mr. Muthukrishnan’s last Facebook post had talked of discrimination in viva-voce.
Meanwhile, AIADMK deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dinakaran also condoled Muthukrishnan’s death and sought a thorough probe.
