JNU scholar had criticised admission policy in Facebook post days before death

A Dalit JNU scholar, who allegedly committed suicide last evening, was said to be at the forefront of a student’s movement following Rohith Vemula’s death and had severely criticised the varsity’s admission policy in a Facebook post days before taking the extreme step.In his post which has gone viral, 28-year-old student Muthu Krishnan had also slammed the recent prohibitory order by JNU authorities banning protests at the administration block.

“There is no equality in MPhil/PhD admissions, there is no equality in viva-voce, there is only denial of equality, denying Prof Sukhadeo Thorat recommendation, denying students protest places in Ad-block, denying education to the marginals.”When Equality is denied everything is denied,” he had written in the Facebook post on March 1.Police, however, is claiming that he was not associated with any of the politically active groups on JNU campus and there is no prima facie evidence indicating the university administration’s role in the issue.

Krishnan, who was from Tamil Nadu’s Salem district, completed his MPhil from the University of Hyderabad (UoH) in 2015 before joining JNU for his PhD.The student, a resident of JNU’s Jhelum hostel, was found hanging from the ceiling fan at a friend’s residence in South Delhi’s Munirka area yesterday.The JNU Students Union (JNUSU) is alleging that Krishnan was targeted for his association with the movement seeking justice for Rohith Vemula, who had committed suicide last year, and that depression had made him take the extreme step.

VC REACTS

While JNU authorities are tight-lipped on any allegations of discrimination, Vice Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar took to Twitter to express condolences.”JNU community is grief stricken at untimely & sad demise of Shri Muthukrishnan J. We pray that God be with his family at this critical time,” he tweeted.According to senior police officials, no suicide note has been recovered and the investigation is underway.

“It is too early to comment on his association (with Rohith Vemula campaign). But so far, we know that he (Krishnan) was not associated with any student groups active in JNU.”He neither made any complaint to the JNU administration nor was there any complaint against him by the administration,” DCP (South) Ishwar Singh said.The reason why the student took the extreme step is not known yet since no suicide note has been recovered, said the officer.Meanwhile, political parties in Krishnan’s home state Tami Nadu, including AIADMK and DMK, have expressed concern over the incident and demanded a thorough probe into the issue.

 

(PTI)

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