Amid continuing protests demanding his resignation over the suicide of research scholar Rohith Vemula, University of Hyderabad (UoH) Vice-Chancellor, Appa Rao has proceeded on leave
Prof. Vipin Srivastava, who was appointed as in-charge VC on Sunday said that Prof.Rao had gone on leave for ‘personal reasons’ and did not mention when he would resume his duties.
Prof. Srivastava said he and his colleagues were discussing how to deal with the current situation in the campus which has been rocked by protests after 25-year old research scholar Rohith Vemula committed suicide. The agitation has resulted in suspension of all classes and academics, as both teachers and students have been participating in it.
The varsity’s administrative functions have also been hit due to the protests. Prof. Srivastava said that other duties of the administration like disbursing student fellowship amounts and salaries of class-4 employees have to be processed as well.
The ‘Chalo UoH’ call given by the student Joint Action Committee (JAC) also might put the administration in a tight spot, as several participants from outside are expected to turn up at the university on Monday in support of the JAC’s protests and demands from the administration. “We have to figure out what to do, and also see what the police plans to do,” mentioned Prof. Srivastava, when asked how he would tackle the situation.
On Sunday afternoon, Congress MP and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjuna Kharge visited the campus and extended support to the protesting students. The day also witnessed the second batch of seven students sitting on a hunger strike, after five of the first batch was shifted to the UoH Health Centre and two others to a private hospital on Saturday night, after their health deteriorated.
Five students at the university health centre and another admitted at a private hospital were discharged on Sunday after their health condition was found to be normal
