Global scholars for recall of University of Hyderabad V-C Appa Rao Podile
Hyderabad: World-renowned scholars Noam Chomsky, Lawrence Cohen and Gayatri Spivak along with 300 other prominent academicians and writers from universities across the globe have criticised UoH vice-chancellor Appa Rao Podile for creating a climate of fear and oppression in the university.
Professors from prominent institutes like MIT, Columbia University, University of Oxford, University of Göttingen, Peking University and IITs have issued a joint public statement seeking the immediate suspension of Mr Appa Rao. They condemned the V-C’s actions and the police brutalities at UoH. They also demanded the immediate release of the arrested students and professors and the withdrawal of police force from the campus.
The academicians also sought implementation of a ‘Rohith Act’ in order to end caste discrimination in campuses across the nation.
Scholars call for independent probe
Calling for the recall of UoH vice-chancellor Prof. Appa Rao Podile for alleged atrocities against students, world-renowned scholars, in a letter on Sunday, said: “We stand in support of the protesting students, staff and faculty of UoH. We, academicians, artists and writers condemn the ongoing brutal attacks and unlawful detention of protesting faculty and students of the campus,” read the statement released by the academicians. Several professors from USA, China, Canada, London, Germany and other European countries have signed the statement. Apart from professors from Social Science schools, there are also several professors from the Life Science departments among them.
“An independent inquiry into the incidents of violence on the campus including the role of the ABVP in vandalising the vice-chancellor’s office should be conducted. Action against police personnel named by students in their complaints (to human rights groups), should be taken,” added the statement.
The scholars also demanded a judicial enquiry against the HRD ministry and Union minister of state Bandaru Dattatreya while mentioning the issues that occurred in FTII, JNU, Jadavpur University etc.
