Latest news with #RohithVemulaAct
New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BJP rewarding people responsible for Rohith Vemula's death: Dy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka
HYDERABAD: Accusing the BJP of rewarding individuals allegedly linked to the institutional harassment that led to the death of University of Hyderabad scholar Rohith Vemula, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday demanded that the saffron party tender an apology for its decision. Addressing the media at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi, Vikramarka, joined by AICC Scheduled Castes Department chairman Rajendra Pal Gautam, condemned the recent appointment of N Ramchander Rao as the state BJP chief. He alleged that Ramchander was among those who pressured university authorities leading to Rohith Vemula's suicide in 2016. 'Instead of doing some introspection, the BJP is elevating those who drove Rohith Vemula to suicide,' he said. 'Rohith Vemula Act soon' Vikramarka further revealed that the Telangana government would soon introduce a 'Rohith Vemula Act' aimed at safeguarding students, especially those from Dalit and Adivasi communities, from discrimination in educational institutions. He blamed the ABVP for inciting tensions on campus. 'When the Ambedkar Students Association was peacefully protesting for student rights, ABVP leader Susheel Kumar labelled them anti-national. The BJP leaders at the Centre, along with pressure from the then HRD Ministry and MLC N Ramchander Rao, influenced the university to suspend Rohith. Left with no choice, he took his life,' he claimed. 'Ramchander Rao has been made the state BJP president, and Susheel Kumar has been appointed as an assistant professor in Delhi University. What message is the BJP sending?' he wondered.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana govt moves HC to reopen Rohith Vemula case; bill to fight caste bias ready
Rohith Vemula HYDERABAD: Deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday announced that Congress govt had approached the high court seeking a directive to reopen the Rohith Vemula case, vowing that those responsible for the PhD scholar's death "will not be spared. " The move comes nearly three months after leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi , wrote to chief minister A Revanth Reddy to enact a law against caste discrimination named after the 26-year-old Dalit student-activist from University of Hyderabad (UoH), who had died by suicide in Jan 2016. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Talking to reporters at the AICC headquarters in Delhi, alongside the party's SC cell chairman Rajendra Pal Gautam, Bhatti said state govt was working on the Rohith Vemula Act to provide legal safeguards against caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions. The draft bill has been sent to the law department for vetting, he said. Telangana police filed a closure report in the case last year, which gave a clean chit to all the accused, including current Telangana BJP chief N Ramchander Rao. Revanth, however, rejected the closure report and said the investigation was on. "The entire country hung its head in shame the day Rohith Vemula died. It is our responsibility to ensure such a tragedy never happens again," said Bhatti, who is also an alumnus of UoH. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo He attacked BJP, accusing it of not only failing Dalit youth but also rewarding individuals named in the caste discrimination case linked to Rohith's death. "The then BJP MP Bandaru Dattatreya, MLC N Ramchander Rao and ABVP leader from UoH N Susheel Kumar - all named in the case - have been rewarded," he said. 'BJP rewarding those named in Rohith case' He demanded, 'Dattatreya was made governor, Ramchander is now BJP's Telangana president, and Susheel Kumar has been appointed as an assistant professor in a central university. The BJP should apologise unconditionally to the nation for this.' Bhatti alleged that a systematic campaign of pressure and harassment was mounted against Rohith and four other students, with interference coming from Union HRD (now education) ministry. According to him, Ramchander Rao allegedly pressured local police to file cases against the students, while the university's administration, under external pressure, expelled them from the hostel — which pushed Rohith to take the extreme step. Citing Rohith's suicide note and earlier petitions to university authorities, Bhatti said they reflected the deep despair faced by marginalised students. 'When Rohith wrote in a heartbreaking note that Dalit students should be given a rope along with admission—so that they can hang themselves—it shattered the conscience of the nation,' the deputy CM said. He recalled Rahul Gandhi had immediately visited the campus, met with student groups, and offered support to Rohith's mother, expressing solidarity with the cause of social justice. The deputy CM emphasised that the proposed Rohith Vemula Act would aim to institutionalise safeguards for Dalits, Adivasis, and other marginalised communities, especially in educational institutions. 'Rahul Gandhi's commitment gave hope to millions. This Act will translate that hope into legal protection,' he said. 'This is not just about one university or one student. It is about what kind of country we want to build. The govt's fundamental duty is to protect the dignity, rights, and lives of every citizen, especially those who have historically been denied of them,' he said.
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Telangana: BJP accepts T Raja Singh's resignation
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday accepted the resignation of Telangana MLA T Raja Singh from the party's primary membership, nearly 10 days after he announced his exit. In an official letter, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh informed the Goshamahal MLA that his resignation had been approved by party president JP Nadda. Telangana MLA T Raja Singh. (PTI) However, the party distanced itself from Singh's remarks criticising the appointment of N Ramchander Rao as the new Telangana BJP president. 'The contents mentioned by you are irrelevant and do not match the functioning, ideology and principles of the party,' the letter stated. Raja Singh submitted his resignation on June 30, citing dissatisfaction over reported internal decisions regarding the BJP's Telangana leadership. His resignation was soon followed by Rao's appointment. While quitting, Singh had spoken out against the new leadership. 'This decision has come as a shock and disappointment, not just to me, but to lakhs of karyakartas (party workers), leaders, and voters who have stood by the party through every high and low,' Singh had said in his resignation letter, addressed to then state BJP president G Kishan Reddy. Known for his firebrand image and controversial remarks, Raja Singh has often drawn criticism from across political lines. In April this year, two FIRs were lodged against him for allegedly using abusive language and issuing threats to police officials during a Ram Navami procession. Meanwhile, the Congress too criticised the appointment of Rao, claiming that he had escaped accountability for his role in the death of PhD student Rohith Vemula. The Congress' salvo comes at a time when their governments in Telangana and Karnataka have expressed interest in passing the Rohith Vemula Act against discrimination against students from marginalised communities in higher education institutions. 'Earlier, governments would punish those who indulged in atrocities against SC, ST, OBC and minority students. But the BJP in many cases has stood behind and rewarded those guilty of crimes against the marginalised communities. Look at the Rohith Vemula case – Dattatreya was made governor of Haryana, Sushil Kumar appointed an Assistant Professor in DU, and now Ramchander Rao has been appointed the BJP's party president in Telangana!,' said Rajendra Gautam, the national president of the Congress' Scheduled Caste Department. Bandaru Dattatreya was the Lok Sabha MP from Secunderabad constituency and Union minister at the time of Vemula's death in 2016. Susheel Kumar was the president of the university of Hyderabad's ABVP unit, and N Ramachander Rao was the local MLC. After Vemula's death, an FIR was filed against all three under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for abetment of suicide. The three were accused of orchestrating Vemula's expulsion from the Hyderabad University hostel and the cancellation of his stipend. Apart from demanding justice for Vemula, who killed himself following the incidents, the Congress also emphasised the need for a legal and institutional framework to prevent future atrocities against students from SC and ST backgrounds. 'Rahul Gandhi has always advocated for the passage of the Rohith Vemula Act. In Telangana, chief minister Revanth Reddy has indicated his desire to bring about such an act. In Karnataka, our government has drafted the bill and will bring it to cabinet,' Gautam said.
Mint
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Bengaluru stampede: Karnataka plans bill for crowd management at events after 11 people killed
Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said on Thursday said that the state government is expected to discuss the key bills in the next cabinet meeting, which include the one on crowd control and management in the wake of the June 4 stampede in Bengaluru that killed 11 people, reported PTI. According to the report, other bills likely to be discussed include Bills against misinformation or fake news, and hate speeches and crimes. "Four bills were proposed today – Karnataka crowd control, managing crowd at events and venue of mass gathering Bill, 2025; Karnataka Rohith Vemula Bill, 2025; Karnataka misinformation, fake news prohibition Bill, 2025; Karnataka hate speech and hate crimes prevention Bill, 2025," Patil told reporters after the cabinet meeting. He said, "these Bills were proposed at the meeting today. I mentioned that on some Bills there is a need for a detailed discussion. It has been decided that before the next cabinet meeting, concerned ministers will meet and discuss and bring the Bills before the cabinet." Earlier on 4 June, a stampede occurred on the evening in front of the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru, where a large number of people thronged to participate in the RCB team's IPL victory celebrations. Eleven people died and 56 were injured in the incident. The government is also mulling to bring the draft Rohith Vemula Bill which reportedly proposes for compensation of up to ₹ 1 lakh for students who face caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions. It also proposes jail term of one year and pay a fine of ₹ 10,000 for guilty. In April, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, requesting the Karnataka government to enact "Rohith Vemula Act" to ensure that no one faces caste-based discrimination in the education system. Rohith Vemula, a Dalit student, allegedly died by suicide due to caste-based discrimination in Hyderabad, in 2016.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka: Siddaramaiah government mulls bill on crowd control post Bengaluru stampede; 'Rohith Vemula Bill' also on the cards
File photo NEW DELHI: Karnataka government is planning to roll out a bill on crowd control and management, according to state law and Parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil. This comes in the wake of tragic stampede on June 4 that killed 11 people in Bengaluru. Other bills that are set to be tabled include Rohith Vemula Bill, 2025; Karnataka misinformation, fake news prohibition Bill, 2025; Karnataka hate speech and hate crimes prevention Bill, 2025, the minister informed. "Four bills were proposed today -- Karnataka crowd control, managing crowd at events and venue of mass gathering Bill, 2025; Karnataka Rohith Vemula Bill, 2025; Karnataka misinformation, fake news prohibition Bill, 2025; Karnataka hate speech and hate crimes prevention Bill, 2025," Patil told reporters on Thursday. He added that "these Bills were proposed at the meeting today. I mentioned that on some Bills there is a need for a detailed discussion. It has been decided that before the next cabinet meeting, concerned ministers will meet and discuss and bring the Bills before the cabinet." The stampede took place on the evening of June 4 outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium, where massive crowds had gathered to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team's IPL victory celebrations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025: Steel Suppliers From Mexico At Lowest Prices (Take A Look) Steel Suppliers | search ads Search Now Undo The incident resulted in 11 deaths and left 56 others injured. Top Congress leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, had called upon the state leadership to take accountability post stampede, reportedly saying that "human lives are of great value" to the party and that the administration must be responsive, unlike the BJP in Uttar Pradesh or the Left government in Kerala. Additionally, the proposed draft of the Rohith Vemula Bill reportedly includes provisions for compensation of up to Rs 1 lakh for students subjected to caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions. It also recommends a one-year jail sentence and a fine of Rs 10,000 for those found guilty. In April, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah to introduce the "Rohith Vemula Act" to prevent caste-based discrimination within the education system. Rohith Vemula, a Dalit student from Hyderabad, died by suicide in 2016 after facing caste-based discrimination.
