UoH Research Scholars Condemn Modi’s Dalit Comments

Hyderabad: Three research scholars from University of Hyderabad (UoH) on Monday wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing their disbelief over his statements on Dalits.

Modi who visited city on Sunday during his speech at LB Stadium said that he supported Dalits and asserted that he should be targeted instead of his Dalit brothers.

To this research scholars poured out their wrath in a letter which reads as “We find it ironic that you chose to say these words a few kilometers from where fake cow-protectors and fake nationalists from your party forced a brilliant Dalit scholar to take his own life.”

Students also questioned Modi on continuation of Prof. Appa Rao Podile as vice chancellor despite his name was listed as accused under SCST Act

The letter was written by deceased research scholar Rohith Vemula’s friends Dontha Prashanth, Vijay Pedapudi and Seshaiah Chemudugunta. They were suspended along with Rohith.

“Ministers in your own cabinet such as Sushma Swaraj and Thawarchand Gehlot started the rumour campaign that Rohith was not a Dalit. Another Union minister VK Singh called Rohith Vemula, and all of us as anti-national,“ the letter said.

Students also questioned Modi on continuation of Prof. Appa Rao Podile as vice chancellor despite his name was listed as accused under SCST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The research scholars rue that there hasn’t been any progress in Rohith’s, adding that the report of the inquiry commission which was to be released on August 1 hasn’t submitted its report.

Deceased research scholar Rohith committed suicide on January 17 creating an uproar countrywide.