Rohith Vemula: Student organisations demonstrate near RSS HQ

After Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi joined students who are on a hunger strike to protest against the suicide of of young Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula following his alleged harassment by the Hyderabad University authorities, the ruling BJP at the centre lambasted him for "doing irresponsible politics over body and Dalits".

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the Congress is only shedding "crocodile tears" to reap political mileage from the tragedy while several cases of injustices to Dalits occurred during their previous rule of UPA.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said: "The way insensitivity has been shown by Rahul Gandhi, is the reason why I say Rahul and responsibility cannot go together."

"Constant attempt to make #RohithVemula issue a Dalit vs non-Dalit one," he tweeted.

Earlier, the office of Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "A young life full of dreams and aspirations was cut short."

"I am here today at the request of Rohith's friends and family, to stand with them in their fight for justice," it said.

"We owe it to him, to the memory of Gandhiji and to every single Indian student who dreams of an India free from prejudice and injustice,"Office of RG tweeted.

Rahul Gandhi had joined a candle light vigil by students of Hyderabad University.

According to reports, he spent the night in the campus.

Meanwhile, Vipin Srivastava, who had taken charge as the interim vice-chancellor , went on a leave on Friday.

The reason behind the move is not clear so far.

At the Hyderabad Central University, students have been on a relay hunger strike in protest against Rohith's death.