Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 18: In response to an appeal by Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that the state government will soon enact the Rohith Vemula Act to combat caste-based discrimination in educational institutions.
Taking to social media platform X, CM Siddaramaiah expressed his gratitude to Rahul Gandhi for his “heartfelt letter and unwavering commitment to social justice.” He stated:
“Our Government stands firm in its resolve to enact the Rohith Vemula Act in Karnataka—to ensure no student faces discrimination based on caste, class, or religion. We will bring this legislation at the earliest to honour the dreams of Rohith, Payal, Darshan, and countless others who deserved dignity, not exclusion.”
He further added that the legislation would mark a step toward realizing Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of an equal and compassionate India.
Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to Siddaramaiah urging the enactment of the Act, emphasizing the ongoing caste-based discrimination faced by Dalit, Adivasi, and OBC students in colleges and universities.
“The murder of bright young people like Rohith Vemula, Payal Tadvi, and Darshan Solanki is simply not acceptable. I urge the Karnataka government to enact the Rohith Vemula Act so that no child of India has to face what Dr Ambedkar, Rohith Vemula, and millions of others have had to endure,” Gandhi posted on X.
In his letter dated April 16, Gandhi referenced Ambedkar’s experience with untouchability to highlight the persistence of caste discrimination in contemporary India.
Rohith Vemula, a PhD scholar at Hyderabad Central University, tragically died by suicide on January 17, 2016, allegedly following caste-based discrimination and disciplinary actions by the university. His death sparked nationwide protests and demands for institutional reform to safeguard marginalized students.
The Rohith Vemula Act, which activists and student groups have long demanded at the national level, aims to provide legal safeguards against caste discrimination in academic spaces, ensure accountability, and support victims.