CPI(M) today demanded action against Vice Chancellor of Hyderabad Central University under SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act after a Dalit student allegedly committed suicide at a varsity hostel room.
"The CPI(M)demands the VC be booked under the act immediately.
"The Central government must conduct a thorough enquiry into this incident in this prestigious Central University that was established by law by the Parliament of India," the party said in a statement.
CPI(M) said that V Rohit (the deceased) and four other Dalit students were on indefinite hunger strike protesting the VC's decision to rusticate them from varsity hostel following their altercation with an ABVP leader.
The party claimed the VC had rusticated the students allegedly "under pressure".
"Under these circumstances, the Politburo condemns the VC's motivated decision that led to this suicide and demands action against him," it said.
According to local police, Rohit (aged around 26) was found hanging in the hostel room located on varsity campus yesterday.
He was among five research scholars who were suspended by the University in August last year for allegedly attacking an ABVP leader.
The suspension was revoked later.
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Meanwhile, another Left outfit, CPI(ML), too demanded action against all those responsible for "victimisation" of Rohit including Union Ministers Bandaru Dattatreya and Smriti Irani for allegedly "pressurising" the vice chancellor to suspend the student.
Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch, a Left mass organisation, sought similar action and accused the Government of making a "deliberate" attempt to prevent Dalit students from advancing through education.
