New Delhi: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has written to the Chief Ministers of all Congress-ruled states, urging them to prioritize the implementation of the Rohith Vemula Act. In his letter, Gandhi stressed the importance of passing the legislation as both a tribute to the late Rohith Vemula and as a crucial step toward ensuring justice and protection for students from marginalized communities.
The Rohith Vemula Act seeks to establish a legal framework aimed at preventing caste-based discrimination within educational institutions. It also aims to hold institutions accountable for any neglect or harassment faced by students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Gandhi’s call for swift action comes after the tragic suicide of Rohith Vemula, a Dalit PhD scholar at the University of Hyderabad, in January 2016. Vemula’s death highlighted the severe caste discrimination he faced within academia, sparking widespread outrage across the country.
Earlier, on April 19, 2025, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah informed Rahul Gandhi in a letter that he had instructed his legal advisor and team to prepare a draft of the Rohith Vemula Act. This development came a day after Siddaramaiah expressed his government’s commitment to enacting the law in Karnataka at the earliest. The Chief Minister assured Gandhi that the state government stands firmly behind the move to ensure that no student faces caste-based discrimination in the education system.
In his letter, Siddaramaiah referred to the struggles of Dr. B R Ambedkar, whose experience with caste discrimination remains a painful reality for many even today. He expressed his determination to create a more equal and inclusive society, noting that the enactment of the Rohith Vemula Act would be a significant step in preventing discrimination in educational spaces. He also emphasized that the law would serve as a deterrent against caste-based abuses in educational institutions, helping bring Dalits, Adivasis, and backward classes into the mainstream without fear of discrimination.
