Karnataka will enact ‘Rohith Vemula Act’, says Siddaramaiah after letter from Rahul Gandhi

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured that his government will enact ‘Rohith Vemula Act’, a law to be framed and enacted to eliminate caste- and identity-based discrimination in educational institutions.

Responding to former Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s letter dated April 16 on the social media platform X, urging the Karnataka government to enact “Rohith Vemula Act” to ensure that no one faces caste-based discrimination in the education system, the Chief Minister said his government stands firm in its resolve to enact such a law.

In a post on X, Mr. Siddaramaiah said, “Our government stands firm in its resolve to enact the Rohith Vemula Act in Karnataka — to ensure no student faces discrimination based on caste, class, or religion. We will bring this legislation at the earliest to honour the dreams of Rohith, Payal, Darshan, and countless others who deserved dignity, not exclusion.”

In his letter addressed to Mr. Siddaramaiah, Mr. Rahul Gandhi urged the Karnataka government to enact the “Rohith Vemula Act.” Highlighting the discrimination B R Ambedkar faced in his lifetime, citing some examples, Mr Rahul Gandhi said what the architect of the Indian Constitution faced was “shameful” and legislation was needed to ensure that this generation of students does not face such humiliation.

“He tells us about his experience in school: ‘I knew I was an untouchable, and that untouchables were subjected to certain indignities and discriminations. For instance, I knew that in school I could not sit in the midst of my classmates according to my rank, but I was to sit in a corner by myself’,” Mr. Rahul Gandhi said quoting Dr Ambedkar.

He further said in the letter, “It is a shame that even today millions of students from Dalit, Adivasi and OBC communities have to face such brutal discrimination in our educational system.”

Published - April 18, 2025 10:40 pm IST