Students protest at HCU demanding VC's removal

Hyderabad: Activists of Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU) on Saturday held a protest in front of the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) demanding immediate arrest and removal of Vice-Chancellor Appa Rao Podile over the death of research scholar Rohith Vemula.

The security personnel at the HCU, however, foiled the attempts of PDSU activists to force their way inside the campus by stopping them at the main gate itself, university's Chief Security Officer T V Rao said.

The PDSU activists later held a demonstration and squatted on the road raising slogans demanding arrest of Appa Rao and his removal from the VC's post. They also demanded immediate release of 25 students and two faculty members arrested in connection with vandalisation of VC's Lodge and stone pelting on March 22.

Rohith's mother Radhika again tried to enter the campus today, but was stopped by the security, Rao said adding, "We stopped her and sent her back."

She was subsequently shifted in an ambulance to a private hospital, the security official added.

On March 23, Radhika had gone on a sit-in protest in front of the main entrance of HCU, after she was denied entry inside the campus to meet students who were injured in a police lathicharge on March 22 near VC's Lodge. The students were protesting against Podile's resumption of duty.

Prof Podile had gone on a long leave at the height of students' agitation seeking justice for Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula, who had committed suicide on January 17 at a hostel room on HCU campus.