Karnataka Cabinet Clears Rohith Vemula Bill to Shield SC/ST Students From Campus Discrimination

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the “Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Discrimination, Exclusion or Injustice) (Right to Education and Dignity) Bill, 2026”, a landmark legislation aimed at addressing and preventing discrimination against Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students in institutions of higher education. The Bill, which has been under discussion for an extended period, is expected to be introduced in the state legislature during the Monsoon Session later this year.

The proposed law is named after Rohith Vemula, a Dalit research scholar at the University of Hyderabad, who died by suicide on January 17, 2016. His death had sparked nationwide debates on caste-based discrimination in educational institutions and led to widespread calls for stronger legal safeguards to protect marginalised students on campuses across India.

According to the provisions cleared by the Cabinet, the legislation will prohibit discrimination, exclusion, or harassment against SC and ST students in all higher education institutions, including both government and private colleges and universities. It also provides for compensation mechanisms for victims of harassment, aiming to ensure accountability and redressal in cases of proven discrimination.

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A key feature of the Bill is the mandatory formation of an “Equity Committee” in all higher education institutions. This committee will serve as a grievance redressal body for students facing discrimination from faculty members or peers. Importantly, the presiding member of the committee will be required to belong to the SC or ST communities, ensuring representation from affected groups in the decision-making process.

State officials have indicated that the Bill seeks to strengthen the legal framework around educational equality and create safer campus environments for marginalised students. The move is being viewed as a significant policy step toward institutional accountability and social justice within Karnataka’s higher education system.

Once tabled and passed in the Assembly, the law is expected to introduce stricter compliance requirements for institutions and formalize mechanisms to address complaints of caste-based discrimination more effectively. The government is positioning the Bill as a major reform aimed at upholding dignity and equal opportunity in education.

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