Politicians flock to Hyderabad University after Dalit student's suicide: Who said what

A day after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi visited the University of Hyderabad to meet students protesting against the death of Dalit PhD student Rohith Vemula, several politicians on Wednesday made a beeline at the varsity.

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Aam Aadmi Party's Ashish Khetan, YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy were among those who visited the Hyderbad Central University campus on Wednesday.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien also visited the university earlier on Wednesday and met with the protesting students.

Here's who said what:

Derek O'Brien, Trinamool Congress:

"This is a student movement. When politicians come to students movement, we are representing people, and of course we represent our political party too. People say this is being politicised, but please look at the documents (facts) that led to the tragic loss of a young life."

Sitaram Yechury, CPM:

"What has happened is contrary to the fundamental rights of the Constitution. People involved, including Cabinet minister, should be punished. But 12 students committed suicide here, there's something wrong with the university."

Ashish Khetan, Aam Aadmi Party:

"All ABVP, BJP and Smriti Irani could accuse him of is that he was a free thinking person. This time Prime Minister Narendra Modi remaining silent is not an option, he must speak up. Whatever we can do to ensure justice, we will do it."

Shashi Tharoor, Congress:

"It is a stain on the university. It is the personal choice of Ashok Vajpeyi to disassociate himself from the university. The anger he must have felt, should be felt by all of us."

Siddhartha Nath Singh, BJP:

"Many political party leaders are going to Hyderabad. And the reason is not that they feel for the cause or are genuinely concerned about the condition of Dalit students, but their own political games. This goes to show their bankruptcy and what kind of politics they wish to play."