University of Hyderabad faces wrath of global scholarly community

Hyderabad: Dr Hugo Gorringe, a senior lecturer of sociology at University of Edinburgh, Scotland and other global community of scholars are reconsidering their research links and ties with UoH due to the recent turn of events after the death of Rohit Vemula.

The death of Rohit Vemula had an cascading effect on the global community of scholars. An open letter to UoH vice-chancellor Prof. Appa Rao Podile written by Dr Hugo Gorringe has gone viral on social media. While condemning the actions taken by Appa Rao, he went on to state that, “To try and win an argument by force is a clear admission of the weakness of your position.”

Dr Hugo Gorringe had written the letter in January slamming Prof. Appa Rao and demanding an action after the death of Rohit Vemula. He stated in the letter that, “For a university to thrive, it requires a culture of open discussion, vibrant debate and tolerance of alternatives. All of these public virtues are currently being eroded on your campus. To try and win an argument by force is a clear admission of the weakness of your position.”

“We of the global scholarly community make an urgent appeal calling for an immediate halt to the violence unleashed against peacefully protesting students at the UoH. The heavy-handed and forceful repression of protest has no place in a democratic society, still less in a seat of knowledge and debate, In the face of such flagrant repression, we find ourselves compelled to ask whether we can any longer continue to sustain research links and ties with the UoH.”

“Many of us have strong academic connections and affiliations to colleagues at the UoH and admire the work of the many scholars based there. At present, the UoH in no way resembles an institution of higher education and erudition,rather than trying to silence dissent, the university management would be much better advised to engage with and listen to their student critics.”

“The tragic death of Rohith Vemula shocked the world and should have resulted in institutional reforms and learning. Instead, the situation is being exacerbated”.