Hyderabad Dalit scholars call Modi outrage against cow vigilantes dishonest, ask: Why no action against ministers?

Counterview Desk
Three Dalit research students of the University of Hyderabad (UoH), all of them colleagues of Rohith Vemula, forced to commit suicide allegedly because of saffron pressure early this year, have called Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest “outrage” against cow vigilantes as “dishonest”.
The scholars, Dontha Prashanth, Vijay Pedapudi and Seshaiah Chemudugunta, belong to the Ambedkar Students Association (ASA), and were reportedly “socially boycotted” along with Rohith ahead of the latter’s suicide.
In a letter addressed to Modi, the scholars said, “We heard with disbelief, and a bit of amusement, the speech that you delivered on August 7, 2016 in Hyderabad, where you condemned cow protectors, who attacked Dalits in your home state of Gujarat.”
Modi said, “What is the reason we torture our Dalit brothers? What right do you have? The section which has suffered for centuries, will you force them to suffer more? Be wary of ‘nakli’ (fake) gau rakshaks, they have nothing to do with cow. Governments should crack down on them.” Addressing these ‘nakli’ cow protectors, added, “Attack me, shoot me, not Dalits.”
The scholars said, “We find it ironic that you chose to say these words a few kilometres from where fake cow protectors and fake nationalists from your party forced a brilliant Dalit scholar to take his own life.”
The letter added, “Ministers in your own cabinet Sushma Swaraj and Thawarchand Gehlot started the rumour campaign that Rohith was not a Dalit. Another Union Minister VK Singh called Rohith, and all of us in the ASA, anti-national. Such a campaign had been on ever since his martyrdom.”
The letter recalled, “In Hyderabad, when we Dalit research scholars started quoting from the writings of Babasaheb Ambedkar, we were branded as anti-nationals by Bandaru Dattatreya, a minister in your own Cabinet. No action was taken against him.”
It added, “When we organized 125th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Dr Ambedkar with Prakash Ambedkar, his grandson, chief guest, he was prevented at the main gate of the university under the instruction of Podile Apparao, vice-chancellor, UoH.”
The letter said, “Apparao is an accused in crime No 20/2016 under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and abetment to suicide for the constant humiliation and harassment of five Dalit research scholars including Rohith. How can we Dalits dream of justice when Apparao enjoys the backing of a powerful leader like Venkaiah Naidu?”
The letter asked Modi, “Did all these things not cross your mind when you made your speech in Hyderabad this week? What happened in against Rohith and four of us was this: The entire government machinery waged a war against us and is still waging a war for speaking about Dr Ambedkar.”
The letter wondered, “Why did you not speak, when Smriti Irani spoke utter lies in Parliament (about Rohith not being a Dalit)? What action was taken when cabinet minIster Bandaru Dattatreya branded Ambedkarites as anti-nationals and influenced MHRD to write five letters putting pressure on the university management to take action against Ambedkarites?”
Calling the present situation in the UoH “grave”, the Dalit scholars in their nearly 2,000 word letter said, Prof V Krishna, an able administrator, who started reforms in admissions leading to the increased intake of marginalized sections, was forced to resign from his position as Controller of Examinations. Dr Sreepathi Ramudu resigned from his post as head, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy. And, several SC/ST faculties tendered resignation to their administrative positions.
Things did not stop here, the letter said: “Dr KY Ratnam, head, Centre for Ambedkar Studies, has been targeted by Apparao and was also sent to jail on false charges along with another faculty, Dr Tathagat Sen Gupta and 25 students.”
---
Read full letter to PM HERE

Comments

Wave of disappearances sparks human rights fears for activists in Delhi

By Harsh Thakor* A philosophy student from Zakir Hussain College, Delhi University, and an activist associated with Nazariya magazine, Rudra, has been reported missing since the morning of July 19, 2025. This disappearance adds to a growing concern among human rights advocates regarding the escalating number of detentions and disappearances of activists in Delhi.

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

‘Act of war on agriculture’: Aruna Rodrigues slams GM crop expansion and regulatory apathy

By Rosamma Thomas* Expressing appreciation to the Union Agriculture Minister for inviting suggestions from farmers and concerned citizens on the sharp decline in cotton crop productivity, Aruna Rodrigues—lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case ongoing since 2005 that seeks a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops—wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 14, 2025, stating that conflicts of interest have infiltrated India’s regulatory system like a spreading cancer, including within the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Activists allege abduction and torture by Delhi Police Special Cell in missing person probe

By A Representative A press statement released today by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) alleges that several student and social activists have been abducted, illegally detained, and subjected to torture by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The CASR claims these actions are linked to an investigation into the disappearance of Vallika Varshri, an editorial team member of 'Nazariya' magazine.

India’s zero-emission, eco-friendly energy strategies have a long way to go, despite impressive progress

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent report released by OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 has predicted that by the year 2050, crude oil would replace coal as India’s key energy source. Clearly, OPEC expects that India’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy will continue to remain high in one form or another.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra* The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

Search This Blog