Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 20: In two separate incidents, members of Student Islamic Organization of India and of Campus Front of India staged a protest on Tuesday January 19 in front of Clock tower to condemn the suicide of research student Rohit Vemula case.
Jayant Malpe, DSS leader addressing the protestors said that exploitation of dalits is an unending social problem. People of the upper class cannot tolerate dalits becoming literate. He condemned the suspension of four other students from the University by the vice-chancellor.
He stated that if the government can hold talks with farmers, then why can it not do so regarding this incident as well. Malpe called for an end to harassment of the dalit community and said that the entire social system needs to be changed.
Abubakkar condemning the issue of Rohit Vemula suicide case said it was not suicide, but depression due to the action taken by the University wherein he and his friends were suspended by the vice-chancellor.
He urged the government to release compensation to the family and also to provide a government job to one of the family members. The University should withdraw the suspension order of the other four dalit students.
Members of the Student Islamic Organization of India protested in a unique way by slipping a rope around the protesters’ necks.
K Paniraj, souharda samiti leader condemned the suicide of Rohit Vemula. He likened Rohit's death to the tears of Ambedkar. Rohit's dream was perhaps akin to Ambedkar’s ideals of eradication of social discrimination in society.
He alleged that harassment of dalits has increased after the Hindutva principle came to force at the centre. The central government is directly responsible for his suicide and is liable to be convicted in court.
Yasin Kodibengre, district president, SIO demanded stern action be taken against those who provoked him to take this drastic step. He stressed the need for truth to be revealed in this case.
Suresh B, Bahujana vidyarti sangha Dakshina Kannada, Idris Hoode, Jamate Islam, Salahuddin and others were present.