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Telangana Forms Panel for Rohit Vemula Act to Curb Caste Bias in Colleges

The Telangana government has constituted a five-member Cabinet Sub-Committee to study and recommend legislation for the proposed Rohit Vemula Act. The committee, led by Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, will finalise the modalities for the bill aimed at preventing caste discrimination in educational institutions. This move fulfils a promise made by the Congress party during the 2023 state elections and follows persistent advocacy, including from LoP Rahul Gandhi. The act is named after Rohit Vemula, a Dalit PhD scholar whose death by suicide in 2016 sparked nationwide protests against caste bias in academia.

Key Points: Telangana Cabinet Sub-Committee for Rohit Vemula Act

  • Panel to draft anti-discrimination law
  • Fulfils Congress poll promise
  • Inspired by Dalit scholar's 2016 death
  • Aims to protect SC/ST students
2 min read

Telangana constitutes Cabinet Sub-Committee for Rohit Vemula Act

Telangana govt forms a cabinet sub-committee to finalise the Rohit Vemula Act, aimed at ending caste discrimination in educational institutions.

"to finalise the modalities for the proposed Rohit Vemula Act to curb caste discrimination in educational institutions - Government Order"

Hyderabad, April 17

The Telangana government on Friday constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee to study and recommend legislation on the "Rohit Vemula Telangana Bill, 2026.

The five-member committed is led by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Finance & Planning and Energy, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.

Ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Damodar Rajanarasimha, Duddilla Sridhar Babu and Ponnam Prabhakar are the members

Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao on Friday issued a Government Order (GO) in this regard.

Sabyasachi Ghosh, the Special Chief Secretary to government's Scheduled Caste Development Department, will be the convenor of the Sub-Committee.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee will submit its recommendations at the earliest, the GO said

The Cabinet at its meeting on March 23 had decided to constitute a Sub-Committee to finalise the modalities for the proposed Rohit Vemula Act to curb caste discrimination in educational institutions.

The Congress in 2023 state Assembly elections had promised the Rohit Vemula Act.

Last year, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had urged the Telangana government to enact the Rohit Vemula Act.

In a letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, LoP Gandhi called for putting an end to the caste discrimination through a legislation.

Rohit Vemula, a 26-year-old Dalit research scholar of the University of Hyderabad, died by suicide on January 17, 2016, alleging caste discrimination by the university authorities, who suspended his PhD degree and cancelled his stipend following an alleged dispute with ABVP members.

Rohit's death had sparked massive protests in campuses across the country over caste discrimination in educational institutions.

Rahul Gandhi, during his visit to Hyderabad University, had promised that if voted to power the Congress will bring the Rohit Vemula Act.

During a meeting with the members of the Justice for Rohit Vemula Campaign Committee from Karnataka in January, Deputy Chief Minister Vikramarka had announced that the state government would soon introduce the Rohit Vemula Act to prevent discrimination against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in educational institutions across the state.

The committee submitted a draft of the Rohit Vemula Act, 2025, envisaged by the Karnataka government.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some action on an 8-year-old promise. The Congress promised this in 2023, and it's good to see a committee formed. But the real test will be the final bill. It needs teeth - strict penalties for institutions that allow discrimination.
A
Arjun K
While the intent is good, I hope this isn't just political symbolism. We have enough laws on paper. The issue is implementation and changing mindsets. Campuses need sensitization programs alongside legislation.
S
Siddharth J
As a student from Telangana, this gives me hope. What happened to Rohit was a national shame. Educational institutions should be safe spaces for learning, not arenas for caste politics. Jai Bhim.
M
Meera T
Good to see a draft from Karnataka is being considered. States should learn from each other. But the committee must ensure the act has clear grievance redressal mechanisms that students can access without fear.
D
David E
Respectfully, as an observer, I hope the focus remains on creating an inclusive environment rather than just another law. The composition of the committee looks promising. Hope they consult widely with student groups and activists.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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