Hyderabad: Fresh protests rocked the Hyderabad Central University campus on Friday, as research student Rohith Vemula’s suicide note threw up new questions, with a glaring scratched paragraph creating mystery.
An entire paragraph in the letter has been neatly scratched off and experts are now investigating whether Vemula himself did it or if it was someone else who did it in a bid to tamper with evidence.
Read: HCU suicide: No names in suicide note may not be helpful for accused
There are strong indications that Rohith might have deleted the paragraph as an afterthought, as there is a bracket next to it, which says "I myself strike these words off." The disclaimer is signed with his name.
The letter, which was discovered on 18th January from the room where Vemula hanged himself, has been sent forensic analysis.
Reports have hinted that the struck off words might have reflected Rohith’s disillusionment with the Ambedkar Students' Association.
"The letter was sent to forensic lab for handwriting match and other analysis. It will take a few days to get the report," PTI quoted police sources as saying.
The body of Vemula was found hanging in the varsity's hostel room on Sunday, which sparked massive protests across the country.
Read: V-C revokes suspension of 4 other dalit students, makes decision conditional
While Rohith in his letter expressed disillusionment with life, the suicide has snowballed into a major political storm with parties demanding the ouster of Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and HRD Minister Smriti Irani.
The Hyderabad University had suspended Rohith and four other students after they allegedly assaulted an ABVP leader. It suspension came after Dattatreya shot off a letter to the HRD ministry in August last year, asking it to look into the matter.
Students have alleged that Rohith's suspension led to depression and to his eventual suicide.
