Bengaluru – As Dalit History Month begins, activists under the banner of the "Campaign for Rohith Act" have escalated their demand for the Karnataka state government to enact the Rohith Act, a proposed legislation aimed at eradicating caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions. The campaign, which draws inspiration from the life and tragic death of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula, has called on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to announce concrete steps for its implementation by April 14, coinciding with Ambedkar Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

The Campaign for Rohith Act, comprising Dalit organizations, student unions, and civil society advocates, held a press conference in Bengaluru on Tuesday, emphasizing the urgent need for legislative measures to ensure equitable access to education. Named after Rohith Vemula—a University of Hyderabad PhD student who took his life in 2016 amid alleged caste-based harassment—the proposed Rohith Act seeks to create a framework to prevent discrimination, support marginalized students, and foster an inclusive academic environment.

In a strongly worded statement, the activists highlighted the persistent failure to fulfill the constitutional promise of equality, as enshrined in the Preamble drafted by Dr. Ambedkar. "Even after 75 years of the Indian Constitution, Dalit and Bahujan youth continue to face systemic exclusion and institutional violence," the press release stated. "The deaths of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi stand as stark reminders of how caste hierarchies poison our educational institutions."

Alarming Statistics Fuel the Demand

The campaign pointed to disturbing data to underline the crisis. Citing Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s 2021 statement in the Lok Sabha, they noted that between 2014 and 2021, 122 students died by suicide in premier institutions like IITs, IIMs, NITs, and central universities.

Of these, 68 belonged to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities. More recently, government figures presented in Parliament in December 2023 revealed that over 13,000 SC/ST/OBC students dropped out of central universities between 2018 and 2023, a trend activists attribute to pervasive discrimination and lack of support.

"These numbers are not just statistics—they represent lives lost and dreams shattered due to caste-based oppression," said Mavalli Shankar, state coordinator of the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) Okkuta. "The Rohith Act is not a luxury; it’s a necessity to save our youth and honor the constitutional vision of equality."

Key Demands to the Karnataka Government

The activists have outlined specific demands to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah:

Legislative Action by April 14: Announce and initiate steps to implement the Rohith Act by Ambedkar Jayanti, symbolizing a commitment to Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy.

Formation of a Committee: Establish a panel including representatives from Dalit and student organizations to oversee the drafting and enforcement of the Act.

Discrimination-Free Education: Ensure prompt and effective measures to make Karnataka’s higher education sector free from caste-based bias, providing equal opportunities for all.

The press conference featured prominent figures lending their voices to the cause. Basavaraj Kouthal, a senior Dalit activist, emphasized the need for systemic change, stating, "Caste remains a barrier to education in Karnataka. The government must act decisively." Ashwini K.P., a United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia, highlighted the global relevance of the issue, urging Karnataka to set a precedent.

Ashna Singh, an assistant professor at the National Law School of India University, and Nandakumar P., a student leader from the Central University of Kalaburagi, also spoke, stressing the lived experiences of students facing caste-based taunts and exclusion. "The ultimate goal is the annihilation of caste, and the Rohith Act is a step toward that," they collectively urged.

The campaign recalled the legal efforts of Rohith Vemula’s mother, Radhika Vemula, and Abeda Tadvi, mother of Payal Tadvi—a second-year resident doctor who died by suicide in 2019 due to alleged caste-based harassment. In 2019, both mothers approached the Supreme Court, seeking stronger measures from the central government to address caste discrimination in higher education. Their plea continues to inspire the push for the Rohith Act.

Radhika Vemula, who has become a symbol of resistance against casteism, has repeatedly spoken of her son’s brilliance and the institutional betrayal he faced. "Dalit students are not just fighting for degrees; they are fighting for dignity," she said at a recent event, a sentiment echoed by the campaign.

The activists also pointed to local challenges exacerbating the issue. "On one hand, the government fails to adequately fund public education, while on the other, the rapid privatization of education is shutting out marginalized communities" they said. They argued that caste remains a formidable obstacle in Karnataka, with incidents of discrimination reported even in prestigious institutions.

The campaign’s call comes amid growing scrutiny of caste-based discrimination in Karnataka’s academic spaces. Recent cases, such as allegations of bias at institutions like IIM Bangalore, have further fueled the demand for a robust legal framework like the Rohith Act.

The Campaign for Rohith Act is framing this as a broader people’s movement, urging citizens to join the fight for justice in education. With Dalit History Month underway, the activists see this as a pivotal moment to pressure the Karnataka government into action. "This is about more than one law—it’s about reclaiming the promise of equality for every student, regardless of their background," said a campaign representative.

As April 14 approaches, all eyes are on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to see whether Karnataka will take a historic step toward dismantling caste barriers in higher education—or if the demand for the Rohith Act will remain an unfulfilled cry for justice.

Who was Rohith Vemula?

Rohith Chakravarti Vemula (January 30, 1989 - January 17, 2016) was a PhD student at the University of Hyderabad in India. Hailing from Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh, he was pursuing research in Social Sciences (Sociology). Rohith was an active member of the Ambedkar Students Association (ASA), an organization working for the rights of Dalit students and social justice.

On January 17, 2016, Rohith took his own life in a hostel room at the university. His death was attributed to disciplinary action taken by the university administration against him and four other students. This action followed allegations of an assault on a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Rohith and his peers were expelled from the hostel, after which they were living in the open on campus. His suicide sparked widespread protests across India and intensified debates on caste-based discrimination, harassment in educational institutions, and Dalit rights.

There has been controversy over Rohith’s caste identity. His mother, Radhika Vemula, claimed he belonged to the Mala community, a Scheduled Caste (SC). However, a 2024 closure report by the Telangana Police stated that Rohith belonged to the Vaddera community (OBC), which is not classified as a Scheduled Caste. The report also claimed that Rohith took his life out of fear of his true caste being revealed, a conclusion rejected by his family and supporters.

Before his death, Rohith wrote a poignant letter addressing social inequality, identity struggles, and his dreams (of becoming a science writer). The letter reflects his sensitivity and intellectual depth.