Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday charged Union minister Smriti Irani of dishing out "lie after lie" in the Dalit scholar's suicide case and described as shameful her defence of the NDA government in the incident.

Kejriwal met protesting students at the University of Hyderabad Kejriwal campus which has turned into the nerve-centre of protests against alleged anti-Dalit policies of the NDA government following the suicide by research scholar Rohith Vemula.

"The death of Rohith is a shame on the nation... on the society," Kejriwal said while addressing the students. He also met Rohith's mother, who has been protesting on campus demanding justice for her 26-year-old son.

Launching a stinging criticism of Irani for her comments that there were "malicious attempts" to turn the incident into a Dalit versus non-Dalit confrontation, the Aam Aadmi Party leader said that instead of trying to create controversy, she should have been trying to ensure justice for Rohith.

Kejriwal is the latest in a long list of Opposition leaders to visit the campus to show solidarity with students seeking justice for Rohith, who allegedly took his own life after he was suspended along with four others.

Kejriwal had earlier termed the death as murder and sought an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is yet to speak on the issue.

The Congress also stepped up the ante on Thursday, accused Union minister Smriti Irani of lying in the case as it picked holes in the Centre's defence in the incident.


Pic: The condolence message by Arvind Kejriwal -- "It is not a suicide but a murder of Rohith. We all have to fight together."