Kanhaiya not allowed to enter HCU; dubs it attack on democracy

Hyderabad, Mar 23: As unrest continued at the Hyderabad Central University, the varsity authorities today prevented JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar from entering the campus to address the students agitating over the suicide of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula.

Kanhaiya, who came with Rohith's mother and brother to express solidarity with the students, was greeted with slogans for and against him at the gate. "I came from JNU to HCU to support Rohith Vemula's cause. ....we will have to fulfil Rohith Vemula's dreams.

And social justice has to be brought in the country. This Government is not listening to the voice of the students," he said.

The University authorities, in the morning, issued a notification banning entry of outsiders including political parties, media and other social/student groups. They also suspended classes for four days. Kanhaiya, speaking outside the campus, called it "shameful".

"I blame university authorities and police. This fight is to save democracy and Constitution. We will not tolerate attack on democracy. We want freedom from casteism and untouchability. We would not have disturbed the peace on the campus had we been allowed," he said.

Police had kept strict security at the main gate preventing non-students from entering. There were heated arguments between police and CPI leaders who accompanied Kumar as police did not allow them in.

Earlier in the day, police arrested 25 students and two faculty members for allegedly ransacking the residence of Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile yesterday and pelting stones.

Kanhaiya, after landing in the city, blamed the government for blowing up the issue at JNU (of `anti-national' slogans) only to divert attention from Rohith's suicide and its aftermath.

PTI