Centre trying to mask issues over student's suicide: Congress

The Congress on Friday termed the human resource ministry's decision to constitute a judicial commission to probe the suicide of a Hyderabad Dalit student as "a shoddy attempt".

It's an attempt aimed at brushing aside the fundamental issues relating to the case, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala told the media here.

Surjewala said the first pre-condition "for a fair, independent and impartial probe by a sitting high court judge is sacking of union ministers Smriti Irani and Bandaru Dattatreya, removal of vice-chancellor and action against BJP MLC Ramchandra Rao and ABVP activists."

He accused the HRD ministry, the university's vice chancellor and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists of "orchestrating circumstances (for) perpetuating anti-Dalit mindset" and alleged that it led to the suicide of Rohith Vemula on Sunday.

Referring to Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani's conversation with Vemula's mother, Surjewala said it came "days after the tragic suicide".

"Arrests should be made of all accused named in the FIR. It is only thereafter, that an equitable and trustworthy probe can be held that will inspire confidence of the entire student community, including the Dalit and underprivileged sections," Surjewala said.

The HRD ministry on Friday decided to set up a judicial commission to probe the circumstances which led to the suicide of the Dalit research scholar of Hyderabad University.

The commission will submit its report in three months.