Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 20: In a significant push towards social justice, the Karnataka government has announced its decision to draft the Rohith Vemula Act — a legislative measure aimed at eradicating caste-based discrimination in educational institutions.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah, in a letter addressed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, confirmed that he has instructed his legal team to begin drafting the legislation. The move comes in response to Rahul Gandhi’s emotional appeal earlier this week, invoking the painful experiences of Dr B R Ambedkar and the tragic deaths of students like Rohith Vemula, Payal Tadvi, and Darshan Solanki.
“I have asked my legal advisors to work on a draft of the Rohith Vemula Act. This law will serve as a strong deterrent to any form of discrimination in our educational system,” Siddaramaiah wrote, acknowledging the persisting realities of inequality.
In his letter dated April 16, Rahul Gandhi had drawn parallels between Ambedkar’s historical experiences and the discrimination faced by students today. Quoting Ambedkar’s harrowing accounts of being denied water during a journey and being made to sit apart in school, Gandhi said, “It is a national disgrace that such injustices continue to plague our educational institutions.”
He stressed the urgency of enacting a law to protect students from marginalised communities, stating, “The murder of Rohith Vemula, Payal Tadvi, and Darshan Solanki cannot be accepted as mere incidents. They are symptoms of a deep-rooted problem.”
Siddaramaiah, in response, expressed solidarity with Gandhi’s concerns. “No student should carry the burden of caste, class, or religious discrimination. My government is committed to building a just and inclusive society, where no one is denied dignity or opportunity,” he affirmed.
Calling the proposed law a step toward Ambedkar’s vision of an equal India, Siddaramaiah reiterated the state’s determination to move swiftly on the legislation. “This Act will honour the memory and dreams of Rohith, Payal, Darshan, and many others whose lives were marked by exclusion when they deserved empowerment.”
The upcoming Rohith Vemula Act could mark a pivotal moment in India's ongoing struggle for social equality, beginning with Karnataka taking the lead.