Former HRD minister Pallam Raju says Centre needs to be more sensitive towards students

NEW DELHI: Former HRD Minister M.M. Pallam Raju, predecessor to Smriti Irani has said that the both the centre and the university of Hyderabad should have been far more sensitive and empathetic in dealing with campus politics at the University of Hyderabad that allegedly led to Rohith Vemula's suicide.

"We have students from different backgrounds, several from under-privileged backgrounds entering universities these days, and it is possible some may have a chip on their shoulders. There could be differences between them but it is at times like this the university and the administration needs to listen to them, deal with them very sensitively. In the recent case of the Hyderabad student's death, it appears that the approach by both ministry and university has been insensitive," Raju told ET.

The former minister said during his tenure as the HRD minister between October 2012 and May 2014 he had looked into representations from groups from Hyderabad University about some student groups becoming increasingly vocal. "But we never had any issues that we felt the university should look into," Raju who himself hails from Andhra Pradesh and represents the Kakinada constituency of the State, said.

"The only issues we had at that time were suicides at IITs and we had agreed after meetings that only a more sensitive, empathy filled approach would work with students," he added.

Raju added that it was important to provide a nurturing atmosphere for students to express their opinions and evolve, and hence, strengthen student bodies.

"Students also need to be amicable. They need to follow rules but whether we like it or now, student unions and campus politics have become an integral part of college life. It is important for students voices to be heard. They should not be suppressed. It is important for a healthy campus life."