Radhika Vemula, mother of deceased student Rohith Vemula, entered the University of Hyderabad campus for the first time in two years to pay tribute to her son on his second death anniversary here on Wednesday.
Over 200 students and faculty members attended the commemorative meeting organised on the University premises.
University of Hyderabad allowed entry to Radhika Vemula this year after student outfit Ambedkar Students Association petitioned the varsity administration. The varsity allowed the admission to nine public leaders along with Ms. Vemula. Prakash Ambedkar, politician and grandson of Dr. B. R Ambedkar and Kancha Ilaiah, political scientist and author also attended the meeting. Representative of SC-ST IAS/IPS officers association, Kaki Madhav Rao also attended the meeting.
Earlier, she was denied entry into the campus multiple times after students agitation took over the varsity following Rohith Vemula’s suicide. In January 2017, on the occasion of Rohith Vemula’s first death anniversary, Telangana police arrested and removed Radhika Vemula when she attempted to enter the varsity.
Mr. Ambedkar, who addressed the gathering, said Rohith Vemula had become a symbol of agitation against caste and fascism. In remembering him, youth in India are commemorating their icon, he added.
Speaking at the event Radhika Vemula said, “Even two years after his death those who led him to suicide are not punished. My struggle will continue till justice is delivered”. She lashed out against the Union Government and university authorities and asked student leaders of marginalised communities to unite against oppressive forces electorally. Kancha Ilaiah asked Dalit and other marginalised students to master English language like Rohith as against languages like Sanskrit.
On Wednesday evening, students led a rally from Rohith Stupa near university’s shopping complex to Savitribai Phule (DST) auditorium where the commemorative event was held. In the auditorium they lit candles at the end of the event.
Student leaders of the UoH said that Telangana police had registered 75 cases against them during the two years of struggle for Rohith, all of which are currently under investigation. Student leader of ASA, Dontha Prashant asked authorities to dismiss the cases. Students of varsities including Jawaharlal Nehru University attended the event.
