Ex-BJP MLC Accuses Congress, Left of Using Rohith Vemula's Suicide for Political Gain

In a recent development that has reignited discussions around the tragic demise of University of Hyderabad student Rohith Vemula in 2016, former BJP MLC N. Ramchander Rao has made allegations against the Congress and Left parties. Rao accused them of attempting to politicize Vemula's suicide by associating it with the BJP. This statement surfaced following the Telangana Police's submission of a closure report to a local court, which absolved the accused, including Rao, of any wrongdoing in connection to Vemula's death.

The police have posited that Vemula, who took his own life in 2016, was not a Dalit and suggested his suicide was driven by fears over his real caste being exposed. This assertion has been met with criticism and protests, particularly from a faction of students at the University of Hyderabad. These students have vocally opposed the BJP, Union Minister Smriti Irani, and former university vice-chancellor Appa Rao Podile, highlighting their discontent with chants and demonstrations on campus.

The Students Federation of India (SFI) has taken to social media to express its disapproval of the police's closure report, labeling it as "an exercise in irony." The SFI's post criticized the Congress government and police for endorsing what they deem a "false narrative" by the BJP, challenging the claim regarding Vemula's caste identity despite the absence of concrete evidence.

In response to the closure report, Vemula's family announced their intention to legally challenge the findings. Subsequently, the Telangana Police disclosed plans for further investigation into the case. Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) Ravi Gupta confirmed that a petition would be filed requesting permission from the magistrate for this continued inquiry.

This case has remained a focal point of socio-political discourse in India, touching on issues of caste discrimination and political accountability. The recent developments suggest that the quest for clarity and justice in Rohith Vemula's untimely death continues, reflecting broader societal challenges and divisions.