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JNU resarch scholar threatens suicide demanding resumption of grants

27 Jan 2016, 09:10 am Print

JNU resarch scholar threatens suicide demanding resumption of grants
New Delhi, Jan 27 (JEN) At a time when Hyderabad research scholar Rohith Vemula's tragic death has ignited a widespread agitation over alleged caste discrimination, a Dalit student of JNU has sent two letters to the Vice Chancellor threatening to end his life if his research grant is not extended next year.

Reports quoted  H Sharma, the univarsity's Controller of Examinations, as saying that  the extension of his senior research fellowship was withheld as he had not been able to get clearance from the finance officer.

Alleging that he has been "discriminated and harassed" by his department which is trying to "block his PhD", the Dalit researcher has demanded resumption of his fellowship in a week's time or he would commit suicide. 

In a separate letter, he contended that he was absent from the university for a certain period due to death of four members of his family, including his father and brother, and now that he has resumed his studies, he wants his fellowship to continue. 

"The student was supposed to return this advance amount to allow his fellowship to continue. But the money has not been returned. Also, the researcher deregistered himself as a JNU student between December 2013 and July 2015," Sharma has been quoted as saying. 

The Vice Chancellor, who demits office on Thursday, said  the matter will be resolved at the earliest and till then the student is being counselled.