Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah writes to Rohith Vemula's mother, hits out at " vested interests"

NEW DELHI: A day after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that Hyderabad University research scholar Rohith Vemula, who committed suicide earlier this month, was not a Dalit, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has written to Rohith's mother, Radhika condemning the efforts made by "vested interests to prove Rohith is not dalit."

Without taking names, the CM in his letter has said, "I am aware of the circumstances which must have forced your son to take the extreme step of ending his life. I have learnt a lot about the plight of students belonging to SC, ST and OBC sections at the campus. It is most unfortunate to know that these very vested interests are working hard to disprove the fact that Rohith is not dalit at all. I will not let this happen and I condemn this in very strong words."

Swaraj on Sunday had said that the controversy over Rohith's caste was "baseless." "The facts have come out in the case and as per as my knowledge, that student (Rohith) was not a Dalit," she had said in Thane.

Siddaramaiah who is often identified as a leader of the Ahinda (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and dalits) has further added in his letter that the university campus "which should have a cordial atmosphere for the students to learn and achieve all round, unfortunately has become a place for for unscrupulous elements to achieve their politically motivated, caste based agenda."

Vemula was among five Dalit students of the university who were barred from their hostel for allegedly attacking a member of a rival student party. His suicide has triggered nationwide protests on college campuses.

The controversy over Rohith's caste erupted when his paternal grandmother said that the family belongs to the Vadderas, categorised under Other Backward Castes. However, Andhra Pradesh revenue department certificate established that he belonged to the Mala community, listed as a Scheduled Caste. Rohith's mother Radhika has said that while her husband is a Vaddera, she belongs to the Mala community of Dalits and that Rohith had always identified himself as a Dalit.