Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka is likely to introduce a bill named after slain Dalit student Rohit Vemula in the state legislature during the upcoming winter session from December 8 to 19.
The legislation, which aims to prevent discrimination based on caste and identity in higher education institutions in Karnataka, is being brought forward following pressure from senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, according to reports.
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The bill is named after Dalit PhD student Rohith Vemula, who died of suicide at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) about a decade ago. The Karnataka Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Exclusion or Injustice) (Right to Education and Dignity) Bill, 2025 seeks to address the “caste reality” in higher education institutions.
Key provisions of the bill
– The proposed law seeks to address “direct, indirect and institutional discrimination and harassment” on the basis of caste and provides “civil remedies for survivors in cases of discrimination and penalties for perpetrators of harassment”, according to a report in the Indian Express.
-Civil remedies include filing a complaint with the Justice Committee, which would be similar to the Internal Complaints Committee for cases of sexual harassment in educational institutions. The matter could then be brought before the District Courts and High Courts, according to the bill,
– The aggrieved person can be a student, faculty member or non-teaching staff member of any institution of higher learning, according to the bill, which largely deals with a broad spectrum of discrimination in “conduct, conduct, omission, treatment, policy, custom, criterion or practice”.
What is the penalty in the bill?
-Discrimination would be a cognizable and irreversible crime.
– The draft law imposes different punishments on individuals and institutions for different crimes under its provisions.
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-For individuals, the law prescribes a written apology as the least penalty for discrimination and provides for harsher penalties for atrocities.
– A first offense may be punishable by imprisonment for one year and a fine of ₹10,000 and a fine which may extend up to ₹ 1 lakh.
– Repeated offenses may result in a three-year prison sentence aa ₹1 lakh fine.
-If an institution violates the provision that it is “open to all classes, castes, creeds, sexes or nations”, it will be subject to a minimum penalty of ₹1 lakh and maximum fine ₹10 lakhs.
Why is the bill named after Rohit Vemula?
The bill, which is part of the Congress party’s manifesto, was fast-tracked following a letter from Rahul Gandhi. The Karnataka cabinet deliberated on the bill and postponed it once for further consultation. It is expected to be introduced in the state legislature in the upcoming winter session of the Karnataka Assembly.
In April 2025, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging the state to introduce legislation on behalf of Vemula to combat caste bias in the educational environment.
Why is the bill controversial?
– The bill was widely discussed.
-Advocates see this as a necessary measure to honor Rohith Vemula’s legacy and protect marginalized students.
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Critics, mainly from the BJP, call it a political tactic and say existing laws are adequate and the bill could lead to reverse discrimination.
Who was Rohit Vemula?
PhD student Vemula ended his life in a hostel on the University of Hyderabad campus on 17 January 2016, weeks after he was expelled from the hostel due to a dispute between his Ambedkar Students Association (ASA) and the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
My birth was my fatal accident.
In his suicide note, Vemula protested caste discrimination and stated that “My birth was my fatal accident”.
Vemula’s death sparked widespread protests across the country over alleged discrimination and harassment of Dalits and other marginalized communities in educational institutions.
Key things
- The bill proposes severe penalties for caste-based discrimination in educational institutions.
- Establishes civil remedies for victims and provides a formal grievance process.
- The legislation is part of a larger effort to honor Rohith Vemula’s legacy and address systemic injustices, the Congress said.
