8 expelled dalit students drum up political support

Eight dalit student expelled from the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) have started getting political support in their fight against the university authorities.

The students were expelled on charges of manhandling a teacher, Kamal Jaiswal, on the campus.

Former JNU president Kanhaiya Kumar announced his support to the Dalit students at a programme organised by the All India Student Federation and said that, “Such incidents are becoming a regular feature in central universities. First it was the Rohith Vemula case and now it is BBAU.”

Six of the eight expelled students met the Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale and sought his intervention in revoking their expulsions. The minister has promised to look into the matter.

The Akhil Bhartiya Dalit and Muslim Mahasangh (ABDMM) has also written a letter to the UP governor Ram Naik alleging that discrimination against the Dalits is on the rise at BBAU

“It is a matter of disgrace that Dalit students are thrown out of hostels despite most of them holding a brilliant academic record,” said ABDMM members.

A delegation of UP’s Aarakshan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti (ABSS) has also handed over a representation to BSP MLA Gaya Charan Dinkar.