Rohith Vemula's suicide: Three students on indefinite hunger strike rushed to health centre

Hyderabad: Three students of the Hyderabad Central University (HCU), who were on hunger strike since January 29, to protest the suicide of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula, were on Monday rushed to the university health centre.

The protesting students were taken into custody by the University security early this morning and were admitted to the university health centre, after their health parameters reportedly deteriorated.

The Hyderabad University reopened on Monday, 12 days after the death of second year PhD student Rohith Vemula, a case that sparked off a political storm.

Meanwhile, Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Monday called off their 'Chalo Delhi' demanding the Hyderabad University to meet their 8-point demands that include Rs 50 lakh compensation as well as a permanent job to one of the family members of Rohith Vemula, among others.

In a separate statement, the Students' Union of HCU demanded that the administration should consider the extension of current semester.

Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula, along with four other students were suspended last year by Hyderabad Central University for allegedly attacking an ABVP leader in the campus. On January 17 this year, Rohith was found hanging in a hostel room on the HCU campus on January 17, sparking strong reactions on the campus and across the country.

The suspension of the four students were revoked last week after the issue snowballed into a major political row with the agitation drawing support from parties other than the BJP.