The Hyderabad Central University (HCU) is roiling in the aftermath of the suicide of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula.
"At a time when the legitimacy of Prof Appa Rao to continue as a VC is in question, without attending to the protesting students, who are on indefinite hunger strike, the absconding VC and Executive Committee met today (not inside the campus) and issued a circular.
"We outrightly reject this illegitimate circular since it came through a Committee headed by the VC, who in our opinion is not the legitimate VC anymore, but in fact a criminal on the run," the Joint Action Committee for Social Justice alleged in a statement.
Earlier, in a fresh appeal the VC said, "It is once again fervently appealed to all in the University to contribute to resuming regular class work, research activities and administrative work without further delay. I would also greatly appreciate all the teachers, students, officers and supporting staff in rising to the occasion."
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He said other observations/suggestions from all the teachers will be taken forward using internal mechanisms and within the limits of the University, after the agitation is called off completely and complete peace is restored on the campus.
"Several individuals/groups of the teachers have expressed their concern and offered their services to resolve the matter. I profusely thank the University of Hyderabad Teachers' Association (UHTA), members of the SC/ST Teachers' Forum and all other individuals who have reached out to resolve the matter," he said.
"We take objection to some of the statements made in the appeal...UHTA did not offer its services neither it has the authority to resolve the situation," it said in a resolution.
Seven members of the the Joint Action Committee are on an indefinite hunger strike for fulfilment of its demands following Rohith's suicide.