Rohith Vemula was not Dalit: Inquiry Commission

New Delhi: University of Hyderabad student Rohith Vemula was not a Dalit and the action by the university authorities of expelling him and four other students from hostel did trigger his suicide, said an inquiry commission formed to probe the murder case.

The report stated that Vemula committed suicide of his own volition and absolved the college authorities of any blame for his decision to end his life. It further said Vemula's suicide note indicated that he was a troubled individual and was unhappy "with worldly affairs". It also did not find then HRD minister Smriti Irani and BJP leader Bandaru Dattareya linked to the events which led to the suicide.

Vemula, a PhD student, committed suicide by hanging himself in a hostel room on the campus in January 2016. His death came after the university had expelled him and four of his friends from the hostel following a clash with an ABVP leader.

The research scholar's caste identity became the centre of the controversy that stirred up after his suicide. Protestors, mainly left groups have alleged that Vemula was a victim of oppression unleashed by the university and BJP leaders.

(With agency inputs)