In Hyderabad, a significant delay has emerged in the creation of the Rohith Vemula law, a proposed legislation aimed at ending caste-based discrimination in educational institutions. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy about nine months ago, urging the state to introduce this law. However, the Telangana government has not yet prepared a draft for it.
Rahul Gandhi's Strong Appeal
Rahul Gandhi sent his letter in April 2025. He expressed deep concern, stating that it remains a shame that millions of students from Dalit, Adivasi, and OBC communities still face brutal discrimination today. His call for action highlighted the urgent need for legal measures to protect these students.
Karnataka Takes the Lead
While Telangana lags behind, neighboring Karnataka has made progress. Karnataka has introduced a draft of the Rohith Vemula Bill, 2025. The state is expected to pass this law in its upcoming assembly session, setting a precedent for others to follow.
Remembering Rohith Vemula
Rohith Vemula was a research scholar at the University of Hyderabad. He died by suicide in January 2016, with allegations pointing to caste discrimination at the university as a contributing factor. His death sparked nationwide protests and calls for justice.
Recent Developments in Telangana
On the occasion of Rohith Vemula's 10th death anniversary, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi reiterated his demand for a pan-India law to end discrimination. Meanwhile, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka met with the Rohith Vemula justice campaign committee at Praja Bhavan.
During this meeting, Vikramarka informed the committee that the Telangana government would soon enact the Rohith Vemula law. He recalled Rahul Gandhi's letter to CM Revanth Reddy and assured that the people's government would work towards bringing the legislation after discussions with the chief minister.
Committee's Demands and Actions
Members of the campaign committee submitted a draft of the Rohith Vemula Act to the deputy CM. This draft was prepared by the committee in Karnataka, offering a model for Telangana to consider. The committee made several key representations during the meeting.
- They demanded a transparent inquiry into the Rohith Vemula case to ensure justice is served.
- They sought relief for 50 students and two teachers who faced non-bailable cases registered at the university after Vemula's death.
- They urged the Telangana government to introduce the Rohith Vemula law, following Karnataka's example.
The situation underscores a pressing issue in Indian education. Despite high-level political appeals and public pressure, Telangana's delay contrasts sharply with Karnataka's proactive steps. The Rohith Vemula law represents a critical move towards equality, but its implementation remains uncertain in Telangana as stakeholders await concrete action from the state government.
