AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi arrived in Hyderabad last night, and straight drove to Hyderabad Central University to participate in the one-day mass hunger strike organized from midnight to mark the birthday (Jan 30) of Rohit Vemula, who committed suicide some time back. The hunger strike is called in protest against the delay in taking action against the persons responsible for the suicide of dalit research scholar.

For Rahul Gandhi, participating in the same program for two times, is unprecedented. Two weeks ago on January 18, he visited the campus and became  the first political leaders to come to Hyderabad the moment the news of Rohit’s suicide hit the headlines. After Rahul’s visit, leaders from all started visiting the campus to express solidarity to the students demanding action against Vice Chancellor Apparao, union minister Smriti Irani and Bandaru Dattatreya.

Rahul is expected to spend whole day with the students at the venue of hunger strike. He asked the Telangana Congress leaders not to join him on the campus as it is being organized as a non-party program. However, about 200 Congress workers from the Hyderabad are expected to organized a sit-in expressing solidarity to the striking students. Sitting on the podium with garland around his neck as is the practice in hunger strike, Rahul was seen interacting with students who had been suspended from the university along with Rohit. What surprised the students and the Congress leaders was Rahul participation in the candle vigil organized by the student-protester at the university last night. Some students belonging to the ABVP attempted to stop Rahul Gandhi from entering the campus at the HCU gate. But, the police foiled their attempt.