After coming under attack for the suicide of Dalit PhD student Rohit Vemula at the University of Hyderabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled Vemula’s death and said he was saddened by it. Modi also said his government is committed to the welfare of Dalit students. He addressed events at Varanasi, and at a Lucknow University on Friday, and in Varanasi said he is under attack all the time, but will continue to work for the welfare of the downtrodden, PTI reported.

Even as protests over Vemula’s suicide continue, a few members of the audience in Lucknow began chanting against the prime minister, ANI reported, and one student was escorted out. Modi continued his speech, lauding the work of BR Ambedkar, and said that Ambedkar came under criticism his whole life, but did not complain about it.

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Rohit Vemula's suicide last Sunday has triggered a political and social maelstrom, with Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya named in the FIR lodged by Hyderabad police in the case. Vemula and four other students were expelled from the University of Hyderabad after they allegedly attacked an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad leader last August. Students have protested over reports of government interference in the matter, and the university's treatment of the students.

The Shiv Sena on Friday cautioned its ally the Bharatiya Janata Party against making controversial remarks on the matter, after Union minister Smriti Irani's comments on Vemula's death caused more outrage. In its party mouthpiece Saamana, it said that comments made by some leaders "boomeranged on the party", and finally Narendra Modi "had to intervene".

Meanwhile, the opposition is "deeply disappointed" with Modi's comments, with Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala saying that "mere crocodile tears" will not do justice to Vemula. He said the Congress had hoped for the sacking of ministers Smriti Irani and Bandaru Dattatreya, and asked for action against the university's vice-chancellor as well.