The gesture was made in solidarity with Rohith Vemula, a Dalit student who committed suicide in the varsity on January 17 this year. Mr. Velpula was one among the four Dalit research scholars who were expelled from the varsity hostel along with Rohith Vemula. Mr. Velpula who promptly walked on to the dais expressed his dissent only after he came face to face with the Vice Chancellor. While Mr. Rao who was apparently taken aback and tried to convince Mr. Velpula to accept the certificate, the latter stood with his hands folded, refusing to budge. The 36-year-old Sunkanna Velpula is a native of Kurnool who has been student of UoH since 2008 (MA and PhD).

Source: The Hindu October 01, 2016 20:26 UTC