‘Don’t want to be another Rohith Vemula’: Kerala Govt to intervene in Dalit student’s strike at MGU

NEW DELHI: Deepa P Mohan, a Dalit science PhD scholar, has been on huger strike for over 10-days opposing the alleged caste discrimination at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. She has been on an indefinite hunger strike since October 29 after her doctoral studies were allegedly delayed by university officials and institute director Nandakumar Kalarikkal.

Higher Education Minister R Bindu has recently said that the state government would intervene in the matter and look into the issue raised by students.

“The MG University vice chancellor has taken over the post of the IIUCNN director, replacing the accused professor Dr Nandakumar Kalarickal. Meanwhile, let me reiterate that every assurances given to Deepa P Mohanan will be adhered to,” Bindu said.

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Extending her support to the Dalit student, Deepa, she said, “Every necessary facility will be made accessible to her so she can complete her research work without any hindrance. The University as well as the Department of Higher Education will stand with Deepa in this regard.”

The MG University vice chancellor has taken over the post of the IIUCNN director, replacing the accused professor Dr Nandakumar Kalarickal.
Meanwhile, let me reiterate that every assurances given to Deepa P Mohanan will be adhered to.

— Dr R Bindu (@rbinducpm) November 6, 2021

The minister further requested the student to end her hunger-strike and said, “Now that the most important demand raised by her has also been met, the student is requested to end her hunger strike so that she can once again turn her focus to her research work.”

The minister also had sought a report from the university on the matter.

According to The Telegraph report, Deepa said, “If anything happens to me, both Kalarikkal and vice-chancellor Sabu Thomas would be responsible. I don’t want to be another Rohith Vemula.”

Rohith Vemula, was a Dalit PhD scholar at the Central University of Hyderabad who had hanged himself in January 2016 alleging caste discrimination. Students across the country actively participated in protests for justice following this incident.

“I have not been able to do my studies smoothly for the last 10 years,” Deepa told The Wire.