Classes in Hyderabad University suspended till Mar. 27

Classes at the Hyderabad University have been suspended till March 27 following yesterday's violent protests at the campus, where angry students demonstrated against Vice-Chancellor Appa Rao Podile, who resumed office after going on leave amid the storm following the suicide of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered against 27 students including two faculty members of the university in connection with the incident yesterday.

As Rao returned to resume charge, students representing the Ambedkar Students Association (ASA) and Joint Action Committee for Social Justice (JAC) ransacked the VC's residence on campus.

They smashed doors and windowpanes, computers and electronic equipment, TV sets, furniture, flowerpots and photo frames.

Rao was under fire for his handling of the suspension of the five Dalit students, one of whom, Rohith Vemula, committed suicide on January 17.

Demanding the Vice Chancellor's resignation, the students had vehemently protested demanding his resignation.

26-year-old Rohith Vemula who hanged himself in Hyderabad Central University campus in January, was suspended from his hostel in August last year for allegedly attacking an ABVP leader.

Rao had earlier said that he is going on leave to facilitate talks with the protesting students.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened outside the varsity following Jawaharlal Nehru University students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar's visit there to address the student faculty.

Kanhaiya was booked and arrested on a charge of involvement in anti-national sloganeering on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on February 9.