Students protest after clean chit for V-C in Vemula probe

NEW DELHI: The report of a panel headed by former Allahabad high court judge Ashok Kumar Roopanwal to probe the death of Hyderabad University scholar Rohith Vemula has recommended strengthening the existing redressal mechanism system and putting in place a support system especially for those from less privileged backgrounds, according to a source. It is learnt that the HRD ministry will implement these recommendations in universities across the country.

“The terms and references of the commission were to enquire into the facts and circumstances leading to the death of Vemula and review the existing grievance redressal system. Anything apart from this which is present in the report is not likely to be taken into cognizance,” said a source. The report found the existing grievance system lacking and has suggested measures for improvement. “The report has also suggested certain induction programmes for the university as a welfare measure,” the souce added.

Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday that his ministry is examining the recommendations and will implement corrective measures to ensure such incidents are not repeated. When asked if the V-C has been exonerated and if the report has raised questions about Vemula not being a Dalit, the minister said he is yet to read the report. “The main focus is that such incidents should not happen in any educational institutions and no student should ever commit suicide and we need to learn a lesson from this incident,” he said.

PTI PHOTO HT FILE People wade through flood waters on a banana raft in Hajipur, Bihar, on Wednesday. Lalu Prasad Yadav The probe panel has given a clean chit to university’s administration in the suicide case, which has agitated the students.