Will stand with Rohith's family to fight for justice: Rahul Gandhi

Asserting that a young life had been snuffed out quickly, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi who is on a hunger strike along with the protesting students at the Hyderabad Central University, said that he was present at protest site at the request of Rohith Vemula's friends and family and will join their fight for justice.

"A young life full of dreams and aspirations was cut short. I am here today at the request of Rohith's friends and family, to stand with them in their fight for justice," The Office of Rahul Gandhi said in a series of tweets.

Remembering Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary, Rahul said the nation owed it to the memory of the father of the nation to fight for justice and aspire for an 'India free from prejudice and injustice'.

"May Bapu's life and his message inspire us to strive for justice. We owe it to him, to the memory of Gandhiji and to every single Indian student who dreams of an India free from prejudice and injustice," Rahul tweeted.

Rahul, who is presently at the University on a hunger strike with the rest of the protesting students, was joined by Rohith's mother as he interacted with the four students who were expelled along with the Dalit scholar.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party has hit out at Rahul, accusing the Congress of playing politics over a sensitive issue.

"The Congress is trying the turn the Hyderabad University campus into a hub of caste politics. By making false allegations and trying to paint the picture in another light, they are trying to re-establish themselves," Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told ANI.

Earlier, in a surprise move, Rahul visited the Hyderabad University campus late and night yesterday and took part in a candle march by students demonstrating against the suicide of Rohith Vemula earlier this month. He later spent the night on campus.

Following Rahul's visit, several Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers took to the streets accusing the Congress vice president of playing 'politics over dead bodies'.