Nothing more national than discussing Dr Ambedkar: Arvind Kejriwal at University of Hyderabad

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today visited the University of Hyderabad and met the students and family members of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula who committed suicide .

He was accompanied by Ashish Khetan and Ashish Talwar.

Highlights of Kejriwal speech

1. There was no violence between two groups, ASA and ABVP: Kejriwal at University of Hyderabad.
2. There cannot be a more national activity than discussing Dr Ambedkar.
3. Shameful that a minister used the word extremist in her letter.
4. Dattatreya bombarded the HRD ministry with letters.
5. Extremely sad that Smriti Irani tried to make the issue as Dalit vs non-Dalit
6. We must respect those who come from diverse background.
7. We strongly condemn the caste spin given to the entire issue
8. Our country cannot be held back on the basis on castesim and backwardness.

 

Kejriwal had yesterday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sack HRD Minister Smriti Irani, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and apologise to the nation over the suicide by the Dalit student, questioning their “interference” in the internal affairs of the institution.

Rohith, a PhD scholar, who committed suicide on Sunday night, was among the five research scholars who were suspended by the University in August last year over an alleged assault case. They were also kept out of the hostel.

The issue took a political turn with allegations that the extreme step taken by Rohith was a result of discrimination against dalit students at the behest of Dattatreya, following his letter to Irani, seeking action against their “anti-national acts”.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal will go to Bengaluru for undergoing naturopathy treatment for his chronic cough on January 27 for ten days instead of January 22.