Osmania University campus in Hyderabad erupted with protests on Sunday after a post-graduate student was found hanging in the men’s washroom.
While police said E Murali, 21, a physics topper, committed suicide at the Maneru Hostel after a bout of depression and examination pressure, a section of students and political parties, claimed Murali ended his life over unemployment and was frustrated with government delay in releasing a job notification.
The suicide happened less than 24 hours before the Opposition’s grand alliance at Saroornagar to mobilize people against the government’s alleged failure to provide jobs. Members of the Unemployment Joint Action Committee called a shutdown of OU campus on Monday.
TJAC convener Prof Kodandaram and Congress leaders visited the campus in the evening. At 3pm, police rushed to the campus as protests raged.
A suicide note recovered from the spot stated he feared failing in exam and was hence committing suicide.
Murali said in his suicide note, “Exams are round the corner and I fear I will fail. So, I have decided to end my life.”
He also wrote, “Anna, don’t leave mother. Take care of her. Bhaskar, you are the younger son. I don’t want mother to know about my suicide.”
Till late Sunday night, students refused to allow police and university officials to bring down the body for autopsy. The campus simmered over the suicide of Murali, a resident of Gajwel, which is CM’s home turf.
The university brass requested the mandal revenue officer to conduct a probe. Political analysts said, with a massive rally planned against the TRS government on Monday over unemployment, politicians found ready ammunition to pin the government by linking the suicide to jobs. Security was tightened on the campus even as students raised slogans against the chief minister.
Students shouting ‘CM down down’ and ‘KCR khabardar’ blocked entrance to the hostel.
