Dalit scholar's death: JNU students demand setting up of probe

JNU students led by Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association today staged a protest demanding that the varsity set up an inquiry committee to probe into the alleged suicide of Dalit scholar Muthu Krishnan.

The students have also demanded for setting up a permanent grievances cell with students and teachers from marginalised communities to redress issues of caste-based discrimination in the university.

Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association (BAPSA) member Rahul Sonpimple said, "We have submitted a memorandum of demands to the vice-chancellor office. It is not only BAPSA but other students also. We have also demanded that Krish's family be provided with financial compensation." JNU students' union (JNUSU) also organised a condolence meeting for Muthukrishnan this evening.

Krishnan (28), an Mphil student at JNU's Centre of Historical studies, was found hanging at his South Korean friend's residence on Monday in south Delhi's Munirka area.

Following demands from JNU students and Krishnan's family, police had registered a case of abetment to suicide and also under the sections of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act against unknown persons.

Krishnan was at forefront of student movement against the suicide of Hyderabad university scholar Rohith Vemula and severely critical of Recent amendments in JNU's admission policy.