After two weeks of unstoppable protests in the University of Hyderabad following the death of Ph.D. scholar Rohith Vemula, the situation in the campus returned to the near-normal stage on Monday. The site of Protests in the University is wearing a deserted look.  Three students, Vijay Kumar, Sunkanna and Vishal, who were on an indefinite fast called off their strike.

The SC, ST teachers forum did the same whose members were on a relay hunger strike for a couple of days. The University seemed to appear as usual and the students who protested also attended classes. The JAC for Social Justice, the body that was formed after Rohith committed suicide, released a statement that its ‘Chalo Delhi’ program, which was to be held on February 4, is postponed.

The meeting between JAC, the protesting members and M. Periasamy, the new Vice-Chancellor in charge helped to get back to normal situation. On Sunday, the JAC submitted a list of eight demands to Mr. Periasamy which included not allowing Appa Rao or Vipin Srivastava to occupy the VC’s position, providing employment to a member of Rohit’s family and immediately releasing his scholarship amount, implementing the Thorat Committee recommendations, besides others.

The JAC has announced that if the demands are not done fully, they will go back to protesting. On Monday, Mr. Periasamy met the Deans of various departments of the university to discuss the demands asked by the JAC.

“I have discussed the demands with the Deans and asked them to get back with suggestions after talking to their respective faculty members. There are some demands which fall under our jurisdiction and some under Ministry of Human Resources Department. Some of the demands can be accepted. Even the HRD Ministry officials have informed that most of the demands can be met. The executive council and academic council will take up the steps to make this university a role model. We are positive that the issues will be resolved soon,” said Mr. Periasamy.

The University administration has decided to extend the present semester by 15 days to compensate for the time lost due to the protests.