Dalit scholar refuses to take degree from University of Hyderabad VC

HYDERABAD: On the 18th convocation ceremony of the

University of Hyderabad

, a research scholar named

V Sunkanna

, one of the four Dalit scholars along with

Rohith Vemula

, who were suspended last year, refused to take PhD degree from vice-chancellor

Appa Rao Podile

on Saturday.

The research scholar was conferred degree in philosophy. As the vice-chancellor awarded him degree certificate on the dais, the research scholar stood there and refused to take it from Podile, who has been charged in the suicide case of Rohith Vemula. There was a two minutes silence in the auditorium as Sukanna refused to take the degree from the VC. Later, the VC stepped aside as he called upon the pro-VC 1

Vipin Srivastava

to award the research scholar his degree.

After the convocation ceremony concluded, slogans in support of Rohith Vemula were raised in the auditorium.

Soon, several supporters of the justice for Rohith Vemula movement, took to social media praising Sunkanna’s move. Congratulating the research scholar, one of the student shared on Facebook - “He stood for self-respect, pride and justice to the oppressed.”