PM Narendra Modi deeply pained by Rohith Vemula’s death

LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish and pain over the suicide of Hyderabad Central University research scholar Rohith Vemula. He was speaking at the convocation programme of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Lucknow.

“A son of my country, Rohith, was compelled to commit suicide. What suffering his family is going through, I can feel that pain… Ma Bharti (Mother India) has lost a son,” Modi said between pauses. “Reasons may be there. Politics may have been there. But the fact is that a mother has lost a son. That pain I can feel. We want to take the country to a position where the youth are enthusiastic and are capable of facing any odds and achieve Dr Ambedkar’s dream,” Modi said.

Three students raised slogans at the start of the prime minister’s speech. Shouting anti-Modi slogans — “Modi go back” and “Modi murdabad” — the protestors sought to highlight the issue of Vemula’s suicide. The three, identified as LLM passouts, were escorted out of the auditorium.

Modi’s visit to Lucknow was marked by special emphasis on Amebdkar’s contribution to nation making.