HRD ministry-appointed panel says no one responsible for Vemula's death

Hyderabad: The committee appointed by the HRD Ministry to probe the death of University of Hyderabad (UoH) scholar Rohith Vemula, has said that no one was responsible for his suicide.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, the report submitted to the ministry says that Rohith's suicide was an 'unfortunate incident'. The ministry will now study the committee's recommendations to ensure that 'such an incident does not repeat'.

The one-man panel headed by former judge Ashok Kumar Roopanwal also recommended ways to improve the existing grievances redressal system at the university, including an 'appeal mechanism' for students' grievances and a counselling centre capable of providing immediate help.

The report said that Vemula's inability to file an appeal following removal from the campus was one of the reasons an appeal mechanism should be formed especially for undeprivileged students.

Vemula had committed suicide in January after the university management punished him for allegedly assaulting an ABVP leader.

His suicide had led to major protests against the HCU Vice Chancellor and then HRD Minister Smriti Irani.

Judge Roopanwal had earlier claimed in his report that Rohith Vemula was not a Dalit but an OBC, leading to a protest by his family. Roopanwal’s report was expected on August 1 but was adelayed over fears it may derail the monsoon session, said the report.

Meanwhile, around 100 teachers from University of Hyderabad (UoH) said on Friday that they would join students in a ‘maha dharna’ in the city, alleging that the committee's report resorts to 'skewing of facts' in the Rohith Vemula case.

Students from UoH will be attending the demonstrations under the banner of the Joint Action Committee for Social Justice. Members of around 33 organisations from outside the university will offer support. Students from other state and central universities are getting ready for the dharna.