Hyderabad University VC's office vandalised upon return

Students are protesting the return of Vice-Chancellor P Appa Rao and maintained their demands of his resignation

Angry students staged a protest against University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor P Appa Rao here, who resumed office today after going on leave amid the storm following the suicide of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula, and vandalised his office.

Angry students were seen swarming into Rao's office and vandalised the area while maintaining their demands of his resignation.

"He is the main one involved in Rohith's death and everyone knows that. The case is still pending in court. Without informing anyone, he came back to his position and called an executive council meeting. Only deans and nominated people should be attending the meetings but some students are also present inside," a protesting student told ANI here.

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