This refers to the editorial, “Trust the judicial probe” (January 25). Prime Minister Narendra Modi has struck the right note by saying that “the death of Rohith Vemula is a loss to the nation”. Mr Modi’s take on “India losing her son” is an appropriate comment on the whole imbroglio. Political parties are bound to politicise the issue in their own way. There is no denying that the scholar had his own social and political leanings, and why notIJ Every Indian is entitled to his opinion. It is unfortunate that his opinions and actions were construed otherwise by various politicians and some student unions.
Though blatant discrimination on the lines of caste and religion is not quite conspicuous in most of our higher temples of learning, yet, it is true that subtle caste undertones prevail in some. The existing casteist environment needs to be addressed and the students' grievances requires a patient hearing. By the same token, students should not cast aspersions on the Government's integrity because every single academic day is as precious as gold.