Dalit student suicide: Lack of sensitivity in some areas by HCU authorities

There was a lack of "sensitivity" shown in some areas by Hyderabad University authorities in dealing with the events which led to suicide of Dalit student Rohith Vemula, according to a two-member team that was sent by the human resource development ministry to find details of the incident.

According to sources, the team has also observed the need for inclusion of socially, educationally and economically disadvantaged students as also recommended expeditious action on the grievances from these students.

There are areas where more "sensitivity" could have been displayed by HyderabadUniversity authorities in dealing with the events which led to the suicide, according to the report by the team.

The report has also emphasised the importance of sensitising academic administrators about handling the issues faced by the students from economically and socially marginalised backgrounds in higher educational institutions, the sources said.

The HRD ministry had earlier this week constituted the two-member fact-finding team comprising Shakila T Shamsu, OSD and a Deputy Secretary-level officer Surat Singh to look into the suicide of Rohith at HyderabadCentralUniversity which has set off a political storm.

According to sources, during its stay in Hyderabad, the panel spoke to a cross section of stakeholders including 70-80 individuals, including students, academicians and others.