NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday called for a pan-India Rohit Vemula Act to tackle incidents of discrimination against the Dalit community.Vemula, a 26-year-old Dalit student at the University of Hyderabad, died by suicide on January 17, 2016, following alleged caste-based harassment.In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi wrote, “Today marks 10 years since Rohith Vemula’s passing. But Rohith’s question still resonates in our hearts: Does everyone in this country have an equal right to dream? Rohith wanted to study, he wanted to write. He wanted to understand science, society and humanity to make this country a better place. But this system could not tolerate a Dalit’s progress.””Institutionalised casteism, social exclusion, daily humiliation, language that reminded him (Vemula) of his ‘place’ and inhumane treatment — this was the poison that pushed a promising young man to a point where his dignity was stripped away and he was left alone,” he added.The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha further alleged that the reality for Dalit students on campuses has not changed, arguing that this is what makes the Rohit Vemula Act “not just a slogan, but a necessity.”“So that caste-based discrimination in educational institutions becomes a crime, strict action is taken against the perpetrators, and the freedom to break, silence and exclude any student on the basis of caste is ended. This fight is not just in Parliament, it is a fight of the youngsters on campuses — it is our fight,” Gandhi said.The Rae Bareli MP called on Dalit youth to raise their voices and demand the Rohit Vemula Act as an anti-discrimination law.“Dalit youth — raise your voices, organise yourselves, stand with each other. Demand: Implement the Rohit Vemula Act now. We need an anti-discrimination law now. The Congress governments in Karnataka and Telangana are in the process of implementing the law as soon as possible. We want an India that is just, humane and equal — where no Dalit student has to pay for their dreams with their life. Rohith, your fight is our responsibility,” Gandhi posted.Vemula’s death had sparked nationwide protests against casteism in institutions of higher learning, accompanied by demands for the resignation of the then Union HRD minister, Smriti Irani.Gandhi had also joined the student protests following Vemula’s death.(With PTI inputs)
