Lashing out at Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani for ignoring his letter addressed to her demanding probe into corruption in Hyderabad Central University, Rajya Sabha Member V Hanumantha Rao has said HCU research scholar Rohit Vemula’s suicide would not have occurred had the Union Minister immediately responded on his letter of November 17, 2014.
Speaking at the Assembly media point here on Thursday, Hanumantha Rao said he had addressed a letter as a University Court member to Smrithi Irani on November 17, 2014 about corrupt practices in the UoH. But the Minister didn’t respond to his letter addressed on November 17, 2014.
“But the same Minister responded immediately to a letter on corruption in Vishwabharathi University stating that she would not tolerate corrupt practices in Central University”, he said and asked her to explain as to why she didn’t respond on his letter.
He said it was not correct on the part of the Union Minister to write reminders to Central Universities. “Is she a Union Minister or a letter writer?” he asked.
VH said he had addressed another letter to the Union Minister seeking action against transfer of land worth Rs 200 crore to State government employees housing society illegally by then vice-chancellor in spite of Executive Council’s rejection.
He said he had also mentioned in his letter that seven students ended their lives over three semesters.
“There was also a rape and kidnap attempt incident in the University. The vice-chancellor spent Rs 5 crore for renovation of his bungalow and spent Rs 1.75 crore to lay road and fix fencing in a place despite the High Court passed status quo order, he added.
