BJP shielding Ministers in Rohith’s case

Vijayawada: University of Hyderabad Prof K Y Ratnam alleged that the government had made a volte face over the caste of Rohith Vemula, a research scholar, who had committed suicide in January this year, only to protect the BJP leaders and Vice-Chancellor Podile Appa Rao.

Ratnam said they were making efforts to take the issue to public by conducting the public meetings in all the States. Speaking at a meeting on Casteism and Communalism’ here on Saturday, he said the government was trying to save Union Minister BandaruDattatreya, Vice-Chancellor Appa Rao, who were charged with SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act, and Union Minister Smriti Irani as well.

The Guntur Collector had initially submitted a report to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes stating that Rohith Vemula was a Dalit, who belonged to a Mala caste, which is listed under Scheduled Caste category in AP.

However, he said, the officials took U-turn unable to bear the pressure of both the Union and the State governments, and wanted a fresh probe. He further stated that the NDA government was targeting universities where students were studying Ambedkarism and Marxism as part of implementing its communal agenda in universities.

The people, who are studying Ambekarism and Marxism, are being treated as anti-nationals and terrorists by the government and Hindutva forces,” he lamented.

The government is harassing teachers as they are questioning the atrocities being committed against students. “We never seen such harassment on the teachers even during separate Telangana state agitation,” he said.

He further said the expelled BJP leader Dayasankar Singh should be arrested under SC/ST Act for his derogatory comments on BSP chief Mayavathi and asked why the government did not arrest Podile Appa Rao in the Rohit’s case.

He said they were making efforts to build a nationwide agitation on Rohith Vemula case and conducting meetings in both Telugu States and other States to explain the developments in the Rohith case and built a people’s movement supporting the cause.

Dalit Mahasabha convenor and noted writer Kathi Padma Rao said the Hindutva forces were oppressing Dalits and resorting to attacks in various States in the name of ‘Gosamrakshana’. AIDWA leader D Ramadevi, KVPS leader N Ravi Kumar, Pedapudi Vijayakumar, D Subba Rao, U Vinay Kumar participated.