Hyderabad: University of Hyderabad’s Joint Action Committee (JAC) has alleged the sculpture of dalit icon B R Ambedkar was removed from the shopping complex area in the varsity at the behest of Vice-Chancellor Appa Rao Podile, a claim denied by the administration on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, a group of students and teachers of the varsity held a protest on the campus over the issue and decided to lodge a police complaint in this regard.

“The Deans Committee recommended removal of tents and structures, named ‘Velivada’ besides the bust of Ambedkar from the shopping complex on the campus. These structures reflected the struggle for self respect and removal of sculpture of B R Ambedkar is insult to Dalits,” said D Prashant who has been leading the JAC’s protest over the suicide of dalit Ph.D scholar Rohith Vemula in January.

He alleged the sculpture was removed at the behest of UoH Vice-Chancellor Appa Rao Podile in nexus with other accused against whom a police case was registered in the wake of Vemula’s death.

Categorically denying any role in the matter by administration, UoH Pro Vice-Chancellor Vipin Srivastava on Wednesday said, “the University has not issued any orders - written or oral - for the removal of Dr B R Ambedkar’s sculpture from the shopping complex area in the University campus.”

Srivastava further said, “if the university receives any complaint, efforts will be made to get the complete details in this incident through an appropriate inquiry.”

Vemula’s suicide on January 17 had sparked massive protests in the varsity as well as outside resulting in a fierce political slugfest, with a string of political parties and dalit organisations siding with students and accusing the BJP and varsity administration of being anti-dalit.

After Vemula’s death, students had set up tents and installed a ‘Rohith Smaraka Stupa’ at the shopping complex. UoH has been witnessing sporadic protests since the scholar’s death demanding Podile’s dismissal.

PTI