Smriti Irani has been replaced by Prakash Javadekar as the HRD Minister, and will now be heading the Textile Ministry. While Zuhail KP, the students' union president at Hyderabad University was happy with the decision, JNUSU President Kanhaiya and fellow student Umar Khalid, who were both jailed on charges of sedition, did not celebrate.
The Telegraph quoted Kanhaiya Kumar as saying:
Let alone punishment, this reshuffle doesn't indicate that the government even realises its crime... Replacing Smriti Irani is merely an electoral adjustment to pacify enraged Dalit and young voters in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh and Punjab polls.
Is Irani's Shift Really a Result of Agitation?
Prior to the JNU crackdown, a hunger strike was carried out in the Hyderabad University campus against Rohith Vermula's death.
Umar Khalid went on to say that while they had demanded Smriti Irani's sacking, the government is not even acknowledging her role in his death by shifting her. In Khalid's opinion, being sent to textiles is a golden handshake.
Raja Vemula, the younger brother of Rohith, said:
I would not like to comment on this development right now as I do not know if it was a result of our agitation or for other reasons.
According to The Telegraph , Zuhail KP, however, said that he was “really happy” with the change.
Rohith's death was caused by the repeated letters of Bandaru Dattatreya (Labour Minister) against him forwarded by Smriti Irani to the VC. When the two-member committee was investigating the case, she held a news conference (saying it was not a Dalit issue). What was left of an inquiry when the minister had already passed the judgement? [...] I have no expectations from the new minister. Persons may change but not policies. Most BJP leaders rise from the ABVP but at least a change of the person at the top offers a small hope which is better than no hope at all, which was the case with Smriti Irani.Zuhai KP, President, Hyderabad University Students' Union
What Is Javadekar's Take on Student Politics, When He's an Ex-ABVP Leader?
Shehla Rashid, JNU students' union vice president, also had a few questions for new HRD minister Prakash Javadekar.
The new education policy says students shouldn't do politics. As a former ABVP leader, I would like to know his views on this policy.Shehla Rashid
Member of ABVP and Joint Secretary of JNUSU, Saurabh Sharma, was meanwhile jubilant over the fact that the former Pune University leader, Javadekar was appointed as the new HRD minister.
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