Rohith Vemula’s Suicide: What is Susheel Kumar’s Defence?

The ABVP member in question for Rohith Vemula’s suicide explains his side of the story.

Susheel Kumar, an activist of the BJP’s youth wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) is one of the key figures being held responsible for Rohith Vemul’s suicide. We bring to you a digest of what he said in the light of questions around Rohith Vemula’s suicide.

Was Rohith Vemula Anti-National?

Yes, I have said that they are anti-national. We paid condolences to Abdul Kalam when he died but they paid their condolences to Yakub Memon, after he was hanged. If at all they had the minority feeling they would have paid condolences to Abdul Kalam and we would have supported them. I had pictures of their protest against the hanging of Yakub Memon and I reported against it to the police. On 3 August close to 40-50 people entered my room and they wanted me to write an apology letter, to which I said no. But, they started abusing me, dragged me out of my room and started beating me.

Why Did he Write an Apology Letter to ASA?

After the scuffle broke out, a security van was called, I was relieved that the matter will be solved and I went and sat inside the van. But the ASA group dragged me outside the van and forced me to write an apology letter. If you read my apology you will see that I start it by saying, “I am writing it in my full consciousness.” The ASA knew that I might file a complaint late so they forced me to write this in the letter. They forced me to upload the letter on Facebook.

The ‘Stomach Pain’: Assault or Natural

After I was forced to upload the letter on my Facebook page, I called my brother because I was not feeling well. Because of the crowd I couldn’t go to the college dispensary. I went to a private hospital, where I suffered for two more days and I was operated later. They are calling it drama but let me tell you I am not rich enough to spend one lakh for drama. Even a few faculty members said that I was lying. Nobody supported me. So I approached the local BJP MP, high court and the government.

Why the Investigation Says he was not Attacked

When I got admitted to the hospital, Krishna Chaitanya, a member of ABVP, filed a complaint with the Proctorial Board. He was called for deposition and since he was not with me during attack he could not provide any witnesses or hard evidence that I was attacked. That is the first report. After a week the board issued a letter saying both the sides have been issued a warning against ruckus in university. After that a person from university called me and said I saw you writing the letter I am a witness to it. I had other witnesses also. Then we submitted the whole account to the board on the basis of which the action was taken on Rohith and four other students. The final report found them guilty.

The Reason for Rohith’s Death

I was very depressed when I heard about Rohith’s death. I have read his suicide note at least 100 to 200 times, where he has not mentioned anybody’s name that so and so person is responsible. All the politicians are involved in college politicians but the the action has been taken on the basis of High Court orders and a fair inquiry. What we wanted to let these people know is that man-handling is always a mistake. Our own cadre was once rusticated for this. Whatever it is the reason of Rohith Vemula’s suicide should be investigated. What were the students and faculty around him doing?