Rohith Vemula suicide case: Vice Chancellor goes on indefinite leave

HYDERABAD: University of Hyderabad vice chancellor Appa Rao Podile went on indefinite leave on Sunday, a week after the suicide of Dalit PhD scholar Rohith Vemula.
Dr Vipin Srivastava, the most senior professor in the university, has taken his place temporarily.
Appa Rao has gone on leave for “personal reasons” sources said. Rao was charged by the Cyberabad Police for abetting Rohith's suicide.
“After seeking the suggestions from my staff, I decided to go on an indefinite leave. However, I feel bad that I couldn’t meet the students before I go,” Appa Rao Podile told TOI.
According to the university’s statutes, in the absence of the vice chancellor, the most senior faculty member must take that position.
Speaking to TOI about the ongoing protests by students, Dr Srivastava said, “First, I would want to initiate a dialogue with the students to understand their point of view. To take suggestions on this, I would approach the teaching staff.”
Meanwhile, protests continued on campus as students prepared for the ‘Chalo HCU’ protest on January 25. More than 10,000 students from across the country are expected to be at the university on Monday for the protest. A fresh batch of seven students resumed the indefinite hunger strike which was halted on Saturday evening after an earlier group of fasting students were hospitalized.