Not a Dalit versus non-Dalit issue: Irani

Facing a raging protest coupled with onslaught by political parties over the suicide of a research scholar at Hyderabad university, Union Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday alleged that a malicious attempt was being made to project it as a “Dalit versus non-Dalit issue to ignite passions” for political gains. Irani, flanked by two senior Cabinet colleagues Thaawar Chand Gehlot and Nirmala Sitharaman, addressed a press conference where she strongly refuted allegations of interference and putting pressure on the university authority to take action against the Dalit students.

“This is not a Dalit versus non-dalit issue as being projected by some to ignite passions.... A malicious attempt is being made to show it as a caste battle which it is not,” the Human Resource Development Minister said.

She said even the suicide note by Rohith Vemula, the dalit student, did not mention any MP or political party responsible for his decision to take the extreme step.

Accusing the Congress of trying to use the issue for political gains, Irani also referred to a letter written to the Ministry by party MP Hanumantha Rao in September 2014 where he had talked about suicides by marginalised students in the university for over four years.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit the University of Hyderabad today to meet the students and family members of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula who committed suicide. Kejriwal, who was scheduled to visit Bengaluru for undergoing naturopathy treatment for his chronic cough on January 22 for ten days, has deferred his visit and will now go there on January 27.