Published Mar 05, 2026 | 3:26 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 05, 2026 | 3:26 PM
Rohith Vemula
Synopsis: Karnataka is set to introduce the Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Exclusion or Injustice) Bill, 2025, aimed at curbing caste-based discrimination in higher education. Recognising Vemula’s death as caste-linked, the Bill prescribes penalties, compensation, and institutional accountability. Backed by Rahul Gandhi and CM Siddaramaiah, it marks Congress’s first legislative step towards fulfilling its manifesto promise
In a historic move, the Karnataka Congress government is moving forward with the Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Exclusion or Injustice) (Right to Education and Dignity) Bill, 2025, in a bid to prevent discrimination against students belonging to Scheduled castes (SC), Scheduled tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) and minority communities in higher educational institutions.
This is the first such legislation which recognises Vemula — a 26-year-old University of Hyderabad scholar, who had died by suicide on 17 January 2016 over alleged caste discrimination — as a Dalit student who died because of such discrimination.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, Congress in its manifesto had promised to enact the ‘Rohith Vemula Act’ to address discrimination against students from oppressed communities in educational institutions. Almost two years later, Karnataka is set to become the first Congress-ruled state that has taken steps to initiate this legislation.
“This Bill seeks to prevent exclusion, discrimination, or injustice against students belonging to SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities in institutions of higher learning under the purview of the department of higher education,” the objective of the proposed bill states.
After the last cabinet’s meeting on 26 February, Karnataka Minister HK Patil said that the draft Bill had been sent to the Home Department for certain inputs. It is likely to be placed in the state’s cabinet meeting today for finalisation.
The draft and unfinalised Bill identifies two kinds of discrimination – institutional and indirect.
While indirect discrimination has been defined as actions that appear to be neutral or free of caste prejudice on the surface but end up having adverse effects on individuals or groups belonging to SC/ST communities, institutional discrimination is inflicted due to institutional structures such as establishment and functioning of governing bodies such as executive council, academic council or research review committees that act against the interests of students from SC/ST communities.
In terms of penalties, the Bill prescribes written apology as the least form of punishment for discrimination, while providing for stricter penalties for caste-based atrocities.
The first offence will attract a punishment of one year imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000. Repeat offence of atrocity under the Act will be penalised with a three-year jail term apart from a ₹1 lakh fine. The bill also empowers the courts to grant compensation – payable by the accused – to the victim, which may extend upto ₹1 lakh.
Moreover, institutions risk losing financial aid or grant if they violate provisions of being “open to all classes, castes, creed, gender or nation”. Such a violation will also attract a penalty of ₹1 lakh – ₹10 lakh.
The Bill also provides for “civil remedies” for aggrieved persons who face discrimination. They can raise a complaint before an equity committee – which should be formed on the lines of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) – or raising the matter to district or high courts.
It further allows aggrieved persons to take any “lawful” action to address caste bias, including, but not limited to refusing to participate in events, activities that reinforce caste prejudice and maintain confidentiality regarding their SC/ST identity where individuals choose not to disclose such status.
In April 2025, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to CM Siddaramaiah urging Karnataka to enact the Rohith Vemula Act “so that no child of India has to face what Dr BR Ambedkar, Rohit Vemula and millions of others have had to endure.”
हाल ही में संसद में मेरी मुलाक़ात दलित, आदिवासी और OBC समुदाय के छात्रों और शिक्षकों से हुई थी। बातचीत के दौरान उन्होंने बताया कि उन्हें किस तरह कॉलेजों और विश्वविद्यालयों में जाति के आधार पर भेदभाव झेलना पड़ता है।
बाबासाहेब अंबेडकर ने दिखाया था कि शिक्षा ही वह साधन है जिससे… pic.twitter.com/gAwJxr0CIG
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 18, 2025
Referring to BR Ambedkar’s experiences, Gandhi said, “I know you would agree that what Dr. B.R. Ambedkar faced was shameful and should not be endured by any child in India. 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.”
In response, Siddaramaiah had then said that the 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. This will be a step towards realising Dr BR Ambedkar’s vision of an equal, compassionate India,” he said.
