Call for Change: Activists Demand National Rohith Act to End Caste-Based Exclusion

"Voices of Justice: Public Convention Demands Rohith Act to Combat Caste Discrimination in Education"

Public Convention Demands Rohith Act to Combat Caste Discrimination in Education

Bengaluru, January, 2025: St. Joseph’s College of Law witnessed a powerful gathering on Sunday as Dalit, student, and civil society organizations united under the banner of the "People’s Movement for Rohith Act." The convention, a call for justice and equality, demanded the enactment of a national Rohith Act to address institutional caste discrimination and prevent tragedies like the untimely death of Rohith Vemula.

The event saw poignant speeches, compelling performances, and the collective resolve to dismantle systemic barriers faced by Dalit and Adivasi students in higher education. Among the prominent speakers were Radhika Vemula, Rohith’s mother; Mavalli Shankar, leader of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (Ambedkarvada); researcher Dontha Prashanth; writer Vikas Mourya; and activist Lekha Adavi.

Radhika Vemula: A Mother’s Fight for Justice

Radhika Vemula, an anti-caste activist and mother of Rohith, moved the audience as she remembered her son as a “calm, gentle, and sharp young man.” She highlighted the institutional barriers that continue to deprive Dalit students of dignity and equal opportunities in education.

“I do not want any other mother to endure the pain I have faced. Dalit students face institutional hurdles that make their journey towards education and dignity a constant struggle. I stand in solidarity with Prof. Gopal Das of IIM Bangalore, who is also fighting caste discrimination,” she said, blaming anti-Dalit forces within the government for denying justice. “I will continue this fight for justice and strive to build anti-caste consciousness across the country.”

Call for Legislative Action

Mavalli Shankar stressed the urgency of a Rohith Act, citing the rampant casteism in educational institutions. He criticized the Union Government for its “intolerance towards people’s struggles for basic rights” and its communal agenda. “The BJP government’s apathy is thwarting scientific temperament and progress,” he said, pointing to unmet promises like the anti-superstition bill and reservations for children of inter-caste marriages.

“If casteism persists in spaces meant for learning and growth, we need a dedicated legislation like the Rohith Act to ensure dignity and justice for Dalit and Adivasi students,” Shankar asserted.

Stories of Struggle and Social Boycott

Dontha Prashanth, Rohith’s friend and fellow researcher, shed light on the social boycott they endured at their university, which led to repeated punishment and humiliation. “We were labeled as ‘goons’—a term often used to degrade Dalits. Such alienation in university spaces systematically attacks our self-respect. The Rohith Act is essential to challenge these caste norms and ensure inclusive education,” he stated.

Shameful Statistics and Historical Injustice

Writer and progressive intellectual Vikas Mourya shared alarming statistics on suicide rates among SC/ST students in educational institutions, demanding answers from the Government. “Even after decades of independence, education in India remains plagued by inequality and caste-based discrimination. Brahminism and capitalism continue to work in tandem to deprive Dalit-Adivasi-Bahujan students of quality education,” Mourya said, urging immediate corrective measures.

United Voices for Change

Lekha Adavi of the All India Students Association underscored the insufficiency of existing legal frameworks in addressing covert caste discrimination in universities. “From denial of admission to everyday humiliation, these practices force students to discontinue their education and, tragically, take their own lives. A dedicated legislation must create a robust support system for Dalit and Adivasi students,” she urged.

The convention also featured powerful cultural expressions, with Guru Basava of Karnataka Vidhyarthi Sangha singing songs of resistance, and renowned theater artist KP Lakshman reading Rohith Vemula’s heart-wrenching letter, which moved many to tears.

A Movement Rooted in Hope and Determination

The "People’s Movement for Rohith Act" exemplified the collective resolve of marginalized communities to challenge caste discrimination and ensure equal access to education. As Radhika Vemula poignantly stated, “This is not just a fight for my son—it is a fight for every Dalit, Adivasi, and marginalized student who dreams of a better future. Together, we can build a world where justice and equality prevail.”

The call for a Rohith Act resonates far beyond the convention halls, echoing in the hearts of those committed to creating a truly inclusive society.

Key Quotes

1. "A Rohith Act is not just legislation; it’s a lifeline for students battling caste discrimination every day." – Radhika Vemula
2. "Education should be a path to empowerment, not a battlefield of humiliation and exclusion." – Dontha Prashanth
3. "The dreams of Dalit and Adivasi students are crushed by systemic casteism. It’s time for a law that ensures dignity and justice." – Mavalli Shankar
4. "Higher education should stand for equality, but it’s still plagued by the shadows of Brahminism and capitalism." – Vikas Mourya
5. "No mother should have to lose her child to the evils of caste. Justice for Rohith is justice for all." – Radhika Vemula