Bengaluru- In a formal letter addressed to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah , the National President of the All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA), G. Kiran Kumar, has requested the inclusion of Other Backward Classes (OBC) within the scope of the proposed Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Exclusion or Injustice) Bill, 2025.

The Bill, which draws inspiration from the institutional discrimination and tragic suicide of Rohith Vemula, a PhD scholar at the University of Hyderabad in 2016, aims to prevent exclusion, injustice, harassment, and discrimination in higher educational institutions, creating safe, inclusive, and just academic environments. It is seen as a progressive step toward addressing caste-based issues in universities and colleges.

However, the letter emphasizes that students from OBC communities, particularly those from marginalized and educationally backward groups, also face significant challenges, including social exclusion, institutional barriers, lack of representation, biases in access to fellowships and hostel facilities, evaluation prejudices, and overt social discrimination.

"Many students belonging to OBC categories-particularly those from marginalized and educationally backward communities face challenges related to representation, access to fellowships, hostel facilities, evaluation biases, and social discrimination. Karnataka has a well-established classification of backward classes such as Category I, Category IIA, Category IIB, Category IIIA, and Category IIIB, covering numerous socially and educationally backward communities. Students from these sections form a significant portion of the student population in universities and colleges across the state. Ensuring their protection within the framework of the Bill would strengthen its commitment to social justice and equality", Kiran wrote in the letter.

The AIOBCSA argues that explicitly including OBC students in the Bill would:

1. Provide institutional safeguards against discrimination and exclusion faced by OBC students.

2. Reinforce Karnataka's legacy of social justice and inclusive governance.

3. Ensure the legislation comprehensively addresses concerns of all socially and educationally marginalized communities in higher education.

4. Uphold the constitutional principles of equality and dignity for every student.

Praising Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's consistent leadership on issues concerning backward classes and social justice, the letter requests that the protections of the Rohith Vemula Bill be extended to OBC students to reflect the broader spirit of inclusive justice. It expresses hope that the Karnataka government will consider this plea and take necessary steps to incorporate OBC communities into the Bill's ambit.

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