Not exploited for political gains: Vemula's mother contradicts Goyal's claims
The death of Hyderabad University student Rohith Vemula has become a hot bed of politics again, two years after he committed suicide. At the centre of the row this time, is money promised by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) to Vemula's mother Radhika, which she earlier claimed she didn't receive. Soon, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Piyush Goyal accused Opposition leaders of playing petty politics.
Radhika Vemula said she didn't receive money, later denied statement
A few days ago, Radhika said IUML promised them Rs. 20 lakh to build a house. The family stays in a rented apartment currently. But they received some money in instalments and by courier. "If they don't want to give, they can say that openly as well, instead of harassing us in this way," she had said earlier. Later, Radhika retracted her words.
Soon, Piyush Goyal held press conference to slam petty politics
After the report gained media attention, Piyush Goyal held a press conference on Wednesday and slammed parties for exploiting his death for political gains. "For how long will opposition parties play politics over it?" asked Goyal. He pointed out the family was not financially stable and promises weren't kept. "Fake assurance of money was provided to a distressed mother for political purposes," Goyal said.
Piyush Goyal even demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi
"I received information that even Congress President took them (Vemula's family) to rallies and asked them to make statements. Rahul Gandhi should apologize for doing petty politics on a pillar of lies," said Goyal.
However, Radhika Vemula says she wasn't used for political gains
Speaking to media, Radhika Vemula said she wasn't pressurized to speak against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and if need be she will speak against him again. She insisted she wasn't used for political gains. "IUML sent us two cheques of Rs. 2.5 lakh out of which one has bounced. We informed them & they said they will directly provide us with money," she said.
IUML will give money directly: Radhika Vemula
Amid the controversy, IUML says it was a clerical mistake
While Piyush Goyal insisted Rohith Vemula's mother was pressurized for going back on her words, the IUML claimed the bounced cheque was a clerical mistake. Rohith Vemula committed suicide in 2016 at the Hyderabad University campus and his death triggered massive outrage. The Opposition termed his death a case of atrocity against Dalits but an inquiry revealed he belonged to OBC community.
