FIR against Bandaru Dattatreya over dalit student’s suicide

Scholar death in Hyderabad sparks outrage, calls to resign

A case was registered against Union minister of state for labour Bandaru Dattatreya, the vice-chancellor of the University of Hyderabad and three others on Monday over the alleged suicide of dalit student Rohith Vemula on Sunday, that triggered massive protests and demands for their removal from their posts.

The issue also took a political turn with allegations that the extreme action was a result of discrimination against dalit students at the behest of Mr Dattatreya, who had written to HRD minister Smriti Irani seeking action over their “anti-national acts”.

Besides the minister, those whose names figured in the FIR filed at the Cyberabad police station are vice-chancellor Prof. Appa Rao Podile, BJP Legislative Council member N. Ramachandra Rao and ABVP activists Susheel Kumar and Rama Krishna.

Susheel Kumar had complained of an assault by activists of the Ambedkar Students Association, of which Rohith was a member, last year. That led to the suspension of five dalit scholars, including Rohith.

The students alleged in their complaint that Mr Dattatreya had influenced the HRD ministry to take action against the dalit students at the University of Hyderabad. Telangana DGP Anurag Sharma told this newspaper: “An FIR has been registered to probe into the student’s death. We will investigate the case with all transparency.”

Students alleged a petty argument between students was twisted by Mr Dattatreya. They alleged Rohith’s death was the result of discrimination against dalit students at the behest of Mr Dattatreya. The students alleged that Mr Dattatreya had influenced the HRD ministry and put pressure on Prof. Podile to take action against the dalit students.

“The University of Hyderabad administration suspended the dalit students following orders from the HRD ministry. The Union minister took up the false allegation made by ABVP activists and pressured university officials to kick out the students. This suicide is the result of their actions,” an activist of the Ambedkar Students’ Association said.

A Cyberabad police official said the case was registered on a complaint by the students. “We have registered cases against them based on a complaint filed by students. An FIR was registered under IPC Section 306 (abetment of suicide) and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. (Union minister of state) Bandaru Dattatreya, vice-chancellor Appa Rao Podile, MLC N. Ramachandra Rao and ABVP activists Susheel Kumar and Rama Krishna have been named in the FIR,” said Gachibowli inspector J. Ramesh Kumar.

The students demanded the removal of Mr Dattatreya from the Union council of ministers. “Mr Ramachandra Rao should also be removed as MLC. The V-C should be sacked,” said D. Prashant, one of five students suspended along with Rohith.

The vice-chancellor has said he would quit if a “majority” of students, faculty and administrators want it. He said the action against the dalit students had happened much before he had come into the picture and he was working with the faculty to “reduce” the punishment.

The body of Rohith, found hanging in the university’s hostel room in the campus on Sunday, was sent for post-mortem amid protests by students on Monday.