(Image source from: Rahul Gandhi hits out at RSS at Jantar Mantar in the march for Rohit Vemula})

Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi came out at Jantar Mantar, in support of students who took out a march in Delhi to demand justice for Rohith Vemula, the Hyderabad research scholar who committed suicide last month. Rohit Vemula's family is also present at the "Chalo Dilli" protest.

"The government is trying to muzzle dissent," Mr Gandhi said, addressing the students at Jantar Mantar. “Rohith talked about future of India, but RSS doesn’t support that, but only support talking about past,” said Rahul Gandhi.

"We have never seen such an anti-student government. The future of educational institutions is at stake," said an activist. "This protest is for millions of Rohith Vemulas, Dalits, minorities and women who have been denied freedom of speech, expression and basic education," she added.

Hundreds of students, including those from the Jawaharlal Nehru University joined the protest march organised under the banner of Joint Action Committee for Social Justice of University of Hyderabad from Ambedkar Bhawan to Jantar Mantar.

"Our universities are being encroached upon. Rohith's voice was muzzled. We need a law which doesn't let students' voices in colleges and universities be stifled," Rahul Gandhi attacked the Modi government said. "Rohith talked about future of India, but RSS doesn't support that but only support talking about the past," he added.

Thousands took part in Chalo Delhi (Let’s march to Delhi), organised by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Social Justice and Hyderabad Central University (HCU). Students from TISS, TIFR, Mumbai University, Nirmala Niketan, Siddharth College, Ambedkar College and other institutes took part in it.

“Not just Mumbai, we have called upon students from across Maharashtra and even other states to join the rallies in Delhi. The government will now see the power of the community of students. They have always taken us for granted. Now, we will fight back for justice,” said a student from TISS.

By Premji