Dalit research scholar hangs himself after expulsion from Hyderabad University

Hyderabad: Tension prevailed at the Hyderabad Central University after a dalit research scholar allegedly hanged himself after he was expelled from his hostel along with four other researchers.

22-year-old Vermula Rohit, who was pursuing a doctorate, allegedly hanged himself at a hostel in the campus on Sunday evening. Ever since he was expelled 12 days ago, Rohit and the other expelled students, all belonging to Ambedkar Students Association (ASA), were on a sleep-in strike in the open outside the University gate.

The university had also suspended Rohit from all student activities after he and other students who are members of the Ambedkar union allegedly attacked an activist of BJP's student arm Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

A media report quoted his friend as saying that Rohit was upset that his requests for an appointment with the Vice Chancellor had been ignored even after living in the open for days.

Rohit's death has fuelled tension in the university with a group of students allegedly refusing to allow a funeral unless the university officials heard their grievances.

However, the Hyderabad Police took away the morning today morning. Eight students have been arrested.