Tension in HCU, Kanhaiya denied nod to address students

In a clamp down, the authorities also barred outsiders including political leaders and mediapersons from entering the campus and suspended classes for four days.

Kanhaiya, on his arrival here, told reporters that the Joint Action Committee for Social Justice of HCU will continue with its struggle until the Centre brings out 'Rohith Act'.

The JNU students union leaader was scheduled to address a meeting on the campus this evening at the invitation of the JAC for Social Justice, which had spearheaded an agitation demanding "justice" for Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula, who committed suicide in a hostel room at HCU on January 17.

However, the VC said the university has not granted any permission to Kanhaiya for this.

"No body has approached for permission. Definitely, there is no permission," he told PTI.

As tension mounted in HCU following the resumption of duty by Rao, the authorities barred outsiders from entering the campus and suspended classes for four days.

"In view of the situation, classes are suspended from March 23 to 26. We have taken a decision not to allow any outsider, including mediapersons and political parties, on the campus," Registrar M Sudhakar said when asked about the visit of Kanhaiya.

Police said additional forces have been deployed on the campus as a precautionary measure and pickets set up around Podile's official residence, which was vandalised yesterday allegedly by a group of students who were opposing his return as VC after a two-month leave.

"The situation is peaceful. Forces have been deployed to maintain law and order," Joint Commissioner of Cyberabad Police TV Sashidhar Reddy said.