UoH Alumni Open Letter against the institutional murder of Rohith Vemula, the return of Dr.

Appa Rao as UoHs VC, and the brutal display of state violence in campus.
As alumni of the University of Hyderabad, we observed with dismay the return of Dr. Appa Rao Podile as
the Vice-Chancellor of University of Hyderabad (UoH) on March 22. We strongly condemn this
provocation that led to the police brutality on campus. The shutdown of the university which has followed
is unacceptable and unlawful.
A couple of days ago, a report ranked three departments of the University of Hyderabad among the top
500 university facilities in the world. The education we received at UoH helped us to not only shape our
careers, but also to question, critique and analyse concepts such as equality, fraternity and social justice.
Upon entering a central university of this size, we were exposed to the sheer diversity of this country.
UoH, like other central universities in India, is an amalgam of many languages, cultures, religions and
regions.
However, much like the rest of the country, the university campus is a space where systematically
oppressive caste structures operate and are institutionally legitimised. Recent events at UoH have left us
dismayed and angered at the treatment meted out to peacefully protesting students at the hands of the
administration and the police.
Suicides of Dalit students have been recurring in UoH. While such incidents continue unabated across
the country, the issue spiralled into a nationwide students protest with the untimely death of Dalit scholar
and social activist Rohith Vemula on January 17th. Rohiths suicide note gives us glimpses into the
individual that he was -- an astute observer of the human condition. His progressive ideas gave hope,
especially to marginalised groups, for whom he fought tirelessly. The son of a Dalit mother who makes
her living out of a sewing machine, he proudly bore his mothers identity and fought for the rights of all
people regardless of caste, class, gender and sexuality. He was especially vocal about the plight of Dalit
students, a 200-million-strong population that has historically been denied fair opportunities to achieve
social mobility in Indian society. It is unforgivable that the university administration could not save him.
A grave problem lies, therefore, in the fact that as of March 22, Dr. Appa Rao Podile, who mismanaged
the suspension of Rohith and others, leading to his suicide, has resumed the office of the VC after two
months of leave. This is highly inappropriate especially given that a non-bailable charge is registered
against him under the SC/ST Atrocities Act and a judicial inquiry to determine accountability is still
pending.
The morning of Raos return saw an unprecedented display of violence in the campus. The media
reported that the students pelted stones and ransacked the VCs lodge. But, information from several
sources, especially eyewitness accounts from students, faculty and non-teaching staff, contests
mainstream media reports. There is ample footage of the police brutally assaulting students with lathis.
Some police personnel allegedly threatened to rape students. Even faculty members were not spared.
After the incident, the university has been locked down with no food (14 messes have shut operations),
water, electricity (in some parts), and no internet connectivity. This cannot be the reality of a central
university, where, as we write this letter, ATM cards linked to student accounts have been blocked
barring students from making essential purchases. Students who attempted to cook for their peers were
severely beaten up by the police for the absurd crime of cooking in a public place. The administration

has imposed an emergency-like situation in one of Indias biggest universities. Today UoH resembles a
surveillance state with students being attacked, and their basic needs like food, water and money being
denied to them. As the University and state administration try to starve out its own students by using state
machinery and the law to wage war on members of a public institution, the response of the city has been
heartening, with residents of Hyderabad cooking and delivering food and water to the students.
In light of these developments, we appeal to all citizens to keep asking the unpleasant questions that
Rohiths suicide has raised; questions about the persistence of caste in our educational institutions, and
the present governments apathy and refusal to hold the university administration accountable.
Universities are spaces for understanding our complex social structures where questions are and must be
raised against the abuse of power and authoritarianism.
We the undersigned alumni of this university-in-turmoil write to draw attention to the atrocities that the
students are experiencing for raising their voices against injustice. We stand with the students and faculty
around the country in universities like UoH, JNU, FTII, DU, IIT Madras, University of Allahabad and
numerous others that are fighting to uphold the freedoms that are guaranteed by our constitution. We
stand with Radhika Vemula and her ongoing courageous struggle for justice against a casteist and
patriarchal administration. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of students and faculty
members who were ambushed and taken into judicial custody on the morning of March 22. We condemn
any kind of violence that tries to suppress freedom of expression and seeks instead to spread fear. Let all
students and citizens debate to make India the safest example of a real grassroot democracy. Let them
speak for a just world where everyone feels safe to just be.

Endorsements
(274 signatories)
Name
Nanditha Mathew
Aabha Sharma
RASHAD MOIDEEN
Hameeda C. K.
VG Balaji
Gopika G G
Krishnendu Adiyat
Vaishnavi Shankar
Anu Salelkar
Juby George
Silpa Satheesh
Alamuru Soumya
Shauhrat S. Chopra

Affiliation
Research Fellow, National Research
Council, Italy.
KPMG India
No Affiliation
Student, JNU
Alumnus
PhD Scholar, Centre for
Development Studies
Student
Instructional Designer
Alumni, Student, Hyderabad Central
University
Editor, Higher ed publisher
Student, University of South Florida
Frelane research scholar
Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of
Environmental Science and Policy,
University of Illinois at Chicago

Course of study
M.A and M.Phil Economics
IMA Political Science

MA English

A.P Sreeraj
Abhigna S

Postdoctoral fellow, University of

California Santa Cruz
Asst. Professor, Sacred Heart
College, Thevara
Assistant Professor, CUR
Academic Editor

Bestin Samuel

Writer, World Vision India

Carmel Christy
Shijo Varghese

Maithreyi M R
Ramesh Bairy
Navika Harshe
Anirban Dey
Bindhulakshmi P
Shipra Nigam
Jaseena t p

M.A English and MPhil

Comparative Literature

Senior editor, BNHS-India

Associate professor, IITB
HCU/ alum
Editor, Cambridge University Press
Associate Professor, TISS, Mumbai
Research Scholar , New Delhi
Student
External lecturer, university of
Tore Holst
MA English
Roskilde
Diana Gomes
Alumni, UoH
M.F.A Painting
Tharakeshwar
Eflu
Student, State University of New
Rakesh Nanjappa
York
M.A English and MPhil
Priya Vijay
PhD scholar, JNU
Comparative Literature
Shamsudheen U. K
HCU alumni
Aparna R
HCU alumni
Samiah Sultana
Ex-student, University of Hyderabad
Mahaprajna Nayak
CSSSC, Kolkata
Kirti Ajith Varma
Independent researcher
Meghana Rao
PhD Student, University of Toronto
Faiza Hasan
Alumni, University of Hyderbad
Student, National Institute of
Savitha Suresh
Advanced Studies, Bangalore
Merlin Abey Theressa Analyst, Private Firm
Soumava Basu
Student
Jithin Mathew
Student IIT B
Soumya Balan
Student
Nithin M
Assistant Professor, MCC
Dhaneesh M P
M.Phil Research Scholar
Sreekumar jayadevan IIT Jodhpur
Manjari
Student, Central University of Gujarat
Ojas Shetty
Independent Researcher
MA Anthropology
Sheeja Rajagopal
Student, IITM
MA English
Student, Helmholtz-Zentrum fr
Abhishek Bakuli
Infektionsforschung

Abir Dasgupta

Student, TISS
MSc Physics
Assistant Professor, TISS, Guwahati
R K Debbarma
campus
Rahul Deshmukh
Student, City University of New York
Gowri Shankar
Student, UOH
Nikhila Henry
Journalist
Research Scholar, EFL University,
Muhammed P
Hyderabad
Deepti
Chief copy editor, The Times of India
Sujata Mishra
Policy Researcher
Rohit Thapa
Fellow, Teach For India
MBA Marketing
Assistant Professor, Azim Premji
Himanshu Upadhyaya
University
M Naresh Kumar
Student
Recent PhD Graduate/Roskilde
Tore Holst
University
Assistant Professor, Maulana Azad
Shilpaa Anand
National Urdu University Hyderabad
Monty Majeed
Journalist
Manjari
Student, Central University of Gujarat
Vikas Kumar Moola
M.Phil Social Sciences, CSSSC
IMA Sociology
SALMA ASHRAF
STUDENT, University of Hyderabad
Centre for Studies in Social Sciences
Richa Gupta
MA English
Calcutta/PhD research scholar
Kevin B. Haynes
Student, Western Michigan University
Nandini
Student
Chandrashekar
M Naresh Kumar
Student/University of Hyderbad
MA English
Kedar Kulkarni
Student, University of Hyderabad
Lecturer, Hult International Business
Nikhilesh Sinha
MA Economics
School, London
Student, UoH/Graduate Instructor,
Arpan Ganguly
Colorado State University
Tejaswini Madabhushi IIIT, Hyderabad
MA Sociology
Srinath raghunathan Student
Karteek Kunnala
Student
Harshavardhan
Student
Phd candidate, University of Bergen,
Knut Aukland
Norway
Asamol Mohan
student
Lijinesh M T
student
Ratheesh
Associate Professor, Dept. of HSS,
Radhakrishnan
IIT Bombay
Devi G R
PhD scholar, Dept. of Physics, IIT
M.Sc. Physics

Madras
Student, DELHI SCHOOL OF
PRITI LAISHRAM
ECONOMICS
Laishram Priyanka
Alumni, University of Hyderabad
Associate Professor, Dept. of HSS,
Sharmila
IIT Bombay
Yacoub Zachariah
Phd Research Scholar, Tata Institute
Kuruvilla
of Social Sciences, Mumbai
Independent Development
Rekha Abel
Ph.D. Linguistics
Consultant
Senior Lecturer, Azim Premji
Alex M. Thomas
MA and MPhil Economics
University
K.Srilata
Professor, Dept of HSS, IITM
MA, MPhil and PhD English
Professor, TISS and Lingnan
Tejaswini Niranjana
University
Swati Bandi
Independent Scholar
Faculty
Sujith Parayil
student
Assistant Professor, Mahindra Ecole
Paromita Bose
M.Phil, PhD English
Centrale
Jayanti K Chhetri
Alumini, University of Hyderabad
Suresh Pittala
Postdoc at Indian Institute of Science
Sanjeev C M
Assistant Professor, NIFT
MFA Painting
Jasmeet Sahi
Freelance writer
MA English
Anupama S
Ex Student UoH
Priyanka Das
Student, UOH
Sessional Lecturer, University of
Sanjeev Routray
British Columbia
Shashikantha Koudur Associate Professor, NIT, Karnataka
Senior Lecturer, Xavier University
Amrit Amlan Pattanaik
Bhubaneswar
Freelance Journalist & Independent
Unika Prusty
Researcher
Bidyut Sagar Boruah
Independent Researcher
PhD Candidate, Simon Fraser
Dharashree Das
University, Canada
Gurveen Kaur
Independent Researcher, Alumnus
Alumnus,University of Hyderabad
Pridhvi Sabbineni
(Physics)
Economist/consultant - Deloitte
Mohsin Khan
MA Economics
Malaysia
Sawmya Ray
Associate Professor, IITG
UoH, MA English, 2001. Currently
Vaskar Upadhyay
based IN, US
Kiriti Kanjilal
PhD Student, Washington State

Koshy Tharakan
Kushal Deb
Navaneetha Mokkil
Maruthur
TV Madhu
Lourembam Arnold
Sudeshna Devi
Shravan Kumar
Avinandan Mukherjee
Swathysree
Akhila M V
J S Sam
Sujith SN

University
Professor, Goa University
Professor, Dept. of HSS, IIT Bombay
Assistant Professor, JNU

Professor, University of Calicut

Student, University of Hyderabad
Student, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Alumni, University of Hyderabad
MA Communication - SN School
Alumnus, University of Hyderabad
MA English
PhD Candidate, IIM Calcutta
Alumnus, University of Hyderabad
Social Scientist
Artist.
MFA - SN School
Senior Research Fellow, IMSc,
Uday Bhaskar Sharma
M.Sc. Mathematics (Integrated)
Chennai.
Research Scholar, Centre for
Madhusudan Nag
M.A in Economics
Development Studies
Umasankar Patra
University of Delhi, Delhi
MA English
Vishal Babu
Editor, Viva Books Private Limited
MA English
Parvathy Rajendran
Student,JNU
Anandavardhanan
Associate Professor, IIT Bombay
Vipin Krishna
JNU PHD Student
Jaya Peter
Student, HCU,HYDERABAD
Independent Development
Rekha Abel
Consultant
Divyaprabha V J
Student
Assistant Professor in English,
Anita Cherian
Indraprastha College for Women,
University of Delhi
Ambedkar University/ Assistant
Bindu K C
Professor
Anupama Ayyala
Central University, Gujarat/Assistant
Somayajala
Professor
Venkatesh babu
Student
Pratap
Student
Anil kumar
Student
Central University, Assistant
Madhumita Biswal
Professor
Central University, Gujarat/Assistant
Sudarshan Papanna
Professor
Assistant Editor, Economic and
Abhishek Shaw
Political Weekly
Jomy Abraham
PhD research scholar, JNU

Deepak Rajula
Parvathi
Kranthi Nanduri
Reshma
Radhakrishnan
Parvathi K. Iyer
Amit Upadhyay
Rituparna Sur
D Parthasarathy
Ratheesh Kumar
Rajyashree Sen
Dr. Robin Luke
Varghese

Student, UOH
Cug
Fellow student, Indian Institute of
Management, Calcutta
Research Scholar, Delhi University
Assistant Professor CUG
Assistant Professor, TISS Hyderabad MA Sociology
university of hyderabad
IIT Bombay Professor
JNU/ Assistant Professor
PhD student, Janelia Research
Campus, VA
Independent Researcher

MA, MPhil, PhD Philosophy

Assistant Professor, , Central

University of Gujarat
Independent Contractor, BBC
Shamsiya Qosimova
Monitoring in Dushanbe
Lead Technical Writer, Wipro
Sunitha M
Technologies, Hyderabad
Student, Master of Arts in Sociology,
Saiyora Saimurodova
HCU
K.L.Leon
Ex-Student,SN School,Painting
Asst. Regional Director , Indira
Dr.D.Anand
gandhi National Open University
Asmita Chaudhuri
Project Fellow, Jadavpur University MA, Applied Linguistics
Samik Malla
Research Scholar, IIT Madras
MPhil English, PhD Translation
Smrti K.P
IxD Architect, Nokia
Studies
Dr. Itishree Pattnaik
Assistant Professor, GIDR
Phd Economics
Naresh S
Ex-Student,SSB
Shivali Tukdeo
NIAS, Bangalore
Milan George Jacob Hindustan Times, New Delhi
IMA Economics
MA and Mphil, Department of
S. Anand
Publisher, Navyana
English
Elizabeth Priyanka
Ex-student, MA Communication
SN School.
Sumanta Thangjam
Phd, Philosophy
Thushara Mohanan
Ex Student , MA Communication
SN School
Pritipushpa Mishra
Lecturer, University of Southampton MA History
Assistant Proffessor, Sikkim
Jasmine Yimchunger
MA Communications - SN School
University
Balendu Rashmi
Bhumika Women's Collective
Integrated Masters in Sociology
Nikhila Henry
Journalist
MA in Communication
Niveditha Kalarikkal

Sudha Samyukta
Geetha Krishna
Vinitha
Mokshagundam
Ado Kehie
Ganga Bhavani
Jaishree Ram Mohan

PRIA
Integrated Masters in Sociology
PRIA
Integrated Masters in Sociology
Lecturer, Mount Carmel College,
MA, M.Phil, History
Bangalore
Student, IIT Guhati
MA Sociology
HCU
Editor,
Assistant Professor,Alder
Thungchobeni
College,Kohima.
Jyotsna Yedem
HCU Alumnus
MA English
Akshara Ravishankar Assistant Professor, Gargi College
Asst. professor, St. Stephens
Themeem T
College, Delhi
Lecturer, Mount Carmel College,
Vinitha
Bangalore
Suresh K Golle
student
Vizokhonuo
student
Pattela Omkar Nadh Student
Malavika Rao
Performance maker
Monica
Ex Student from UOH
Sumedha
Student,HCU
Minu. A
Alumni
Kiran Sikha
Student
Naveen Kumar P
Student
Deepthi Krisha T
Student
Santosh Gurrani
Alumni, Hyderabad Central University
Chandra Kiran Katta Communication Specialist/NGO
Queenie Fancon
student
Shravan Kumar
University of Hyderabad - Alumni
Dhilip
Independent Researcher
Aswani RS
HCU Student
Monica Nanjunda
University Of Hyderabad - Alumni
SN School Of Fine Arts
Kedar Kulkarni
Research Assistant, FEEM, Italy
IMA Economics
Assistant Proffessor, St. John's
MA and MPhil, Department of
Rakesh R.
College
English
Imlienla Jamir
Student, Analog IAS
IMA Political Science
Student, UCL-Institute of Education,
Ekta Singla
MA Applied Linguistics
London
S Sayujya
Alumnus, UoH
MPhil English
Anwesha Chakraborty Phd Student, University of Bologna MA English
Ratan Laishram
Alumni HCU
MA Economics
Sunil Kumar Polamuri IT Professional
MA Applied Linguistics
Student, Erasmus Mundus Masters
Sukriti Kapur
MA Economics
Program

Tharakeshwar V.B.
Teacher, EFL University
Ph.D. English
Madhurima Majumder Research fellow, Anveshi
M B Sudha Rani
Media Professional
MA Mass Communications
Post-doctoral researcher, York
Rakesh Sengupta
Ph.D., Cognitive Science
University, Toronto
G Naga Sena Rana
Media Professional
MA Mass Communications
Sopei Joel Rungsung Media Professional
MA Mass Communications
Sashikant
alumnus
Aravind Parakkot
Alumnus
MA English
Anu K antony
Research fellow, IIT, Bombay
MA, Mphil Sociology
Anna Mini
Freelance writer
MA Political Science
Anas Nazar
Rajeswari S
Alumnus
Yanger Kichu
MA History
Assistant professor,Central University
Asima Jena
of Gujarat
Research Scholar, Ambedkar
Anuradha Banerji
University
Sreejith T
Student
Mrudula Bhavani
Ex-student
Student, King's College London,
Anju Christine Lingham
University of London
Arathi R
Student
Pallavi
Student
Lakshmi Priya
Student
Pranith Maddirala
SN School, University of Hyderabad
Esfandiar Adina
Student
(Rahim Rahimov)
sukhvinder multani
educationist and researcher
Varunika Saraf
Artist
Monu Rajan
Alumnus, UoH
Shriya sharma
Student
Abhilash Augustine
Student, JNU
madhav vinodh
Student, UoH
Kathi Mahesh Kumar Student
Nagesh Muppavaram Student
Student, central university of
Hariprasad R
hyderabad
Godwin
Student
TINCHU P JAMES
STUDENT
Sujatha Girija
Alumnae of HCU
Harini Kumar
PhD student, University of Chicago
Elsa Oommen
Warwick
Mariyam Mumthas
student

Anagha
Anoop Daniel
JNANESH R J
Gautami
Nargis Vasundhara
JOSEPH MICHAEL
JOSE
Abin Thomas
Pleasa Serin Abraha,
Ajmal S. Rasaq
KV Nagesh Babu
P Niranjana
Probal Dasgupta
Bharath Kumar
Aparna Nandakumar
Jenson Joseph
Kalpana Kannabiran
SANGAY TAMANG
Richa Sharma
Vishal Babu
Thanzeel Nazer
A. Giridhar Rao
Aishwarya Pothula
Vidya Rangan

Alumni
Student
HCU
Alumnus/University of Hyderabad
Student, Ph.D, Delhi University
alumni
Student, King's College London
Researcher, IIT Bombay
PhD student, JNU
Assistant Professor, SMCS, TISS
Assistant Professor, SMCS, TISS
Linguistic Research Unit, Indian
Statistical Institute, Kolkata
IIT Indore
Assistant Professor, Providence
Women's College, Kozhikode
Alumnus, UoH
Council for Social Development
Hyderabad
P.HD IIT GUWAHATI
Alumnus
Editor, Viva Books Private Limited
Research Scholar, Delhi School of
Economics, Department of Sociology
Azim Premji University, Bengaluru
International Institute of Social
Studies, Hague
London, United Kingdom

M.A Economics
M.A. Political Science
M.A. Communication
M.A. Communication

PhD Philosophy
MA English, MPhil Comparative
Literature
PhD

M.A.Sociology
PhD English
IMA Economics
MA Economics