Bhatti Refuses Apology To BJP Chief

HYDERABAD: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said he was undeterred by the legal notice issued by BJP state president N. Ramchander Rao and stood by his previous remarks linking the BJP leader to the events leading to the suicide of University of Hyderabad student Rohith Vemula in 2016.

Responding to queries at a press conference, Bhatti said he would face legal proceedings both personally and on behalf of his party. He reaffirmed his allegation that Ramchander Rao harboured an "indifferent attitude towards Dalits" and added, "Everyone is aware of his role in the central university during those days."

Bhatti had earlier accused Ramchander Rao, who was an MLC at the time, of visiting the campus, staging protests and exerting pressure on university authorities and police to act against Vemula and members of the Ambedkar Students’ Association. He alleged these actions led to Vemula’s expulsion from the hostel, which ultimately drove him to suicide.

Bhatti had earlier criticised the BJP for appointing Ramchander Rao as state president, claiming it rewarded individuals responsible for harming Dalit and Adivasi communities.

In response, Ramchander Rao served a legal notice demanding an unconditional public apology within three days, citing “malicious and false imputations” linking him to Vemula’s death. The notice warned that failure to issue an apology would lead to defamation proceedings seeking `25 crore in damages.

The BJP, meanwhile, pointed to the findings of the SC/ST Special Court in March 2024, which cleared Ramchander Rao of involvement in the case. The court found no evidence of abetment and ruled Vemula’s caste claim incorrect. Condemning Bhatti’s remarks as “baseless, defamatory and politically motivated,” Ramchander Rao said public life requires accountability, not “cheap propaganda.”