Will take up issue of Hyderabad University VC's removal with PM: Chandrasekhar Rao

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday said he would take up the issue of removing University of Hyderabad Vice Chancellor P. Appa Rao with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Responding to a prolonged debate in the Telangana Assembly on the alleged police excesses in the university when the students protested over rejoining of the Vice Chancellor after long leave, the Chief Minister assured the House that an inquiry into the alleged police excesses would be ordered.

"The government will inquire the alleged excess use of force. If at all any police/officer involved, action will be taken up. I will take up the issue (removal of VC Appa Rao) to the Prime Minister as soon as possible," he said.

The return of Appa Rao sparked fresh trouble in the varsity on March 22 as a group of agitating students barged in and ransacked his official residence in protest, alleging that he was responsible for Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula's suicide and should step down from his post.

The police arrested as many as 25 students and two faculty members in this connection for their alleged vandalism.

Rao had gone on long leave after Vemula committed suicide following his suspension from the hostel along with some other students of Ambedkar Students Association (ASA) as part of disciplinary action in January.