BJP seeks Rahul Gandhi's apology over Rohit Vemula episode

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Wednesday sought to put the Congress in a spot by alleging that it had indulged in “low-level politics” by giving a political twist to the suicide of University of Hyderabad student, Rohith Vemula.

Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal sought an apology from Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for allegedly exploiting the financial condition of Rohith’s mother for political purposes. He claimed that she was used by the Opposition to level false allegations against the BJP.

“The financial condition of the Vemulas had not been sound. The Opposition parties promised money to the mother of Rohith Vemula for taking part in political rallies and events where allegations against the BJP were levelled,” Goyal claimed, adding that the allegations were unsubstantiated.

The BJP sought to latch on to media reports that one of two cheques given to Rohith’s mother by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had bounced to turn the heat on the Opposition for “orchestrating Dalit outrage” campaign after the youngster’s suicide on the varsity campus.

Rohith’s suicide had been an issue raised by the Opposition, particularly the Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party, in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The BJP had also been at the receiving end of Dalit anger in the Gujarat Assembly elections where the saffron outfit could barely scrape through in the December polls.

“The Opposition parties have now been unmasked. Since Rahul Gandhi had also shared the dais with Vemula’s mother, he should apologise,” Goyal added.