Rahul Gandhi: Caste Remains Biggest Barrier in India, Demands Anti-Discrimination Law
Rahul Gandhi marks Rohith Vemula's 10th death anniversary, demands Rohit Vemula Act to end campus caste discrimination.
On the 10th death anniversary of Dalit student Rohith Vemula, Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi highlighted that caste-based discrimination remains a harsh reality on Indian campuses. He stressed the urgent need for an anti-discrimination law to protect marginalized students and ensure equal opportunity in higher education.
Vemula, a 26-year-old student of the University of Hyderabad, died by suicide on January 17, 2016, following alleged harassment linked to caste-based prejudice. Gandhi recalled that institutionalized casteism, social exclusion, and daily humiliation drove Vemula to a point where his dignity and dreams were stripped away.
Addressing the ongoing issue, Gandhi said, “Has the reality for Dalit youth changed? The same contempt on campus, the same isolation in hostels, the same feeling of inferiority in classrooms, the same violence—and sometimes, the same death. Caste remains the biggest admission form in this country.”
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He urged Dalit students to raise their voices, organize themselves, and demand the implementation of the Rohith Vemula Act, which seeks to criminalize caste-based discrimination in educational institutions and hold perpetrators accountable. Gandhi emphasized that the fight for equality is not just parliamentary but also one that must be carried out by students on the ground.
Gandhi also noted that Congress-led state governments in Karnataka and Telangana are working toward implementing the law as quickly as possible. He called for nationwide awareness to ensure that no Dalit student has to sacrifice their life to pursue their dreams.
The death of Rohith Vemula triggered nationwide protests against casteism in higher education and ignited a movement demanding justice, equality, and dignity for marginalized students. Gandhi reiterated that Vemula’s struggle remains a shared responsibility for society and the nation.
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