HYDERABAD: Protests erupted again this morning at the Hyderabad Central University, which has been a volatile zone for months over the suicide of PhD student Rohith Vemula in January.
Protesting students who demanded Vice Chancellor Appa Rao's removal were taken into custody as they broke open the campus gates. The students had tried to approach Mr Rao's office past heavy security and barricades.
The clashes took place as the university - which has been ranked among the country's best - discussed the appointment of an ombudsman, an anti-discrimination officer and an Equal Opportunity Cell.
Students demanded that the Vice Chancellor be kept out of the process to select an ombudsman alleging that "he is also under scrutiny" for his role in Mr Vemula's suicide.
26-year-old Rohith Vemula hung himself on January 17, days after he was banned from the hostel and other areas on campus over clashes with an activist from a BJP-linked students' group.
Mr Vemula's supporters allege that the Dalit researcher was a victim of discrimination.
The students have been protesting since then, demanding justice for Mr Vemula and also a law against caste discrimination on campus.
Various groups of students have been protesting on the campus and outside, demanding that the gates of the university be thrown open.
Last month, the Vice Chancellor was held hostage for hours by a large group of students. 25 students and two teachers were arrested after the incident, which led to an escalation of protests.
