South Asian groups hold candle-lit vigil over Rohith's death

LONDON: A number of South Asian groups held a candle-lit vigil outside the Indian High Commission here to protest the death of a dalit scholar in Hyderabad University and express solidarity with the students' hunger-strike there.

The protesters, representing groups like South Asia Solidarity Group, CasteWatchUK and Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations, among others, handed over a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the vigil yesterday calling for the dismissal of members of his cabinet.

"We are deeply disturbed and saddened to hear of the death of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula in the University of Hyderabad," the letter said.

The protesters demanded dismissal of HRD Minister Smriti Irani and Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya. They also demanded resignation of University Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile over what they described as his "casteist action".

"Take urgent and effective measures to end the institutional discrimination against Dalits in Indian institutions of higher education," the letter said.

The other groups involved in the protest include the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance, Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha, Southall, Shri Guru Ravidas Global Human Rights Organisation UK, Voice of Dalits International, Cambridge South Asia Watch and King's College London Feminist Society.

The dalit student Vemula, who committed suicide, was among the five research scholars who were suspended by Hyderabad Central University in August last year and also one of the accused in the case of assault on a student leader.

The 'Justice for Rohith Vemula' campaign in India has brought together a number of universities to draw up an action plan.