Scores of NSUI activists today marched towards the HRD Ministry, continuing with their protests over the suicide of a Dalit PhD scholar, and demanded the resignation of Union Ministers Smriti Irani, Bandaru Dattatreya and Hyderabad University Vice Chancellor.
Stating that "revocation" of suspension of the four expelled students was never their demand, workers of the Congress' youth wing were stopped at Raisina Road here by the police when the protestors were on their way to the HRD minister's residence and detained.
"Revocation of suspension is not the demand of students. We want the immediate resignation of Smriti Irani, Dattatreya and Vice Chancellor Appa Rao," National Student Union of India (NSUI) President Roji John said.
Accusing the Union government and the BJP leadership of "politicising" the matter, John said the protests would be "intensified" across the country. Congress leader Randeep Surjewala joined the protesters and demanded an "apology" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"This protest is for justice, which can be attained with the resignation of Union Ministers Smriti Irani, Bandaru Dattatreya and the VC," he said.
According to police, the protesters were detained as they tried to push the barricades and that the situation could have gone out of hands subsequently.
"Around 60 persons have been detained, under provisions of law, following the protest today," DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said.
(REOPENS DES 40)
Meanwhile, the activists of Ambedkar Sena Punjab today took out a protest march at Phagwara demanding the resignations of Union Ministers Irani and Dattatreya and dismissal of the University V-C for the suicide.
They burnt the effigy of Irani and raised slogans against the Central government terming it "anti-dalit".
(Reopens NRG22)
Demanding the removal of Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani and Labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya over the suicide of a Dalit research scholar in Hyderabad Central University, the activists of Congress' Youth and women wing today burnt effigies of the two ministers in Jammu.
"We are demanding the resignation of union HRD minister Smriti Irani and Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya for their role in the circumstances leading to the suicide of the Dalit scholar of Hyderabad University," president of Pradesh Youth Congress Pranav Shagotra said.
