Karnataka govt set to introduce Rohith Vemula Bill; how it aims to check campus caste bias
Karnataka will introduce the Rohith Vemula Bill to combat caste and identity discrimination in higher educational institutions. The bill, pushed by Rahul Gandhi, proposes civil remedies and penalties for offenses, making discrimination a cognisable act. It addresses institutional bias, with advocates seeing it as vital for marginalized students. Critics, however, question its necessity, sparking controversy.
New Delhi: The Siddaramaiah–led Congress government in Karnataka is reportedly set to introduce the proposed bill named after slain Dalit student Rohith Vemula during the winter session of the state Legislature. The session is scheduled from December 8 to 19.
The legislation is aimed at preventing bias based on caste and identity in higher education institutions in Karnataka. The Bill is reportedly being tabled after a huge push made by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Who was Rohith Vemula?
Rohith Vemula was a Dalit PhD scholar Rohith Vemula. He died by suicide in a hostel room at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) on January 17, 2016. He took his own life weeks after he faced expulsion from the hostel over a squabble between his Ambedkar Students Association (ASA) and the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
He wrote a suicide note, and spoke about caste bias. His suicide note read: "My birth was my fatal accident.”
His death sparked massive protests nationwide over alleged caste discrimination and ill-treatment of Dalits and other marginalised communities in educational institutions.
What are the provisions of the Bill?
Reports said the Bill, called The Karnataka Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Exclusion or Injustice) (Right to Education and Dignity) Bill, 2025, aims to address the ‘caste realities’ in higher educational institutions.
The Bill seeks to address "direct, indirect and institutional discrimination and harassment" based on caste. It provides for "civil remedies for survivors in cases of discrimination and penalties on the perpetrator for harassment”, a report in the Indian Express says.
As per the draft Bill, civil remedies would allow a complaint to be filed before an Equity Committee — similar to the Internal Complaints Committee for sexual harassment cases on campuses of educational institutions. From there, the matter could be taken up with district courts and then the high courts.
The Bill says that a student, faculty member or non-teaching staff of any higher educational institution can be an aggrieved person. The Bill essentially deals with various forms of discrimination in "conduct, behaviour, omission, treatment, policy, custom, criterion or practice”.
What punishment does the Bill propose?
The Bill spells out that such discrimination as a cognizable and non-bailable offence.
The Bill slaps different penalties on individuals and institutions for various offenses under its provisions.
For guilty persons, the Bill prescribes a written apology to be the least of penalties when it comes to discrimination, stipulating stricter penalties for atrocities.
The first offence may invite a prison term of up to one year and a fine of Rs 10,000, with the fine potentially extending to Rs 1 lakh.
Repeat offenders could be handed a three-year prison sentence and a Rs 1 lakh fine.
If an institution breaches the provision of being "open to all classes, castes, creed, gender or nation”, then it will attract a minimum penalty of Rs 1 lakh and a maximum penalty of Rs 10 lakh.
What’s the controversy over the Bill?
The Bill is a part of the Congress party's manifesto. It was expedited after a letter from Rahul Gandhi. The Karnataka Cabinet has discussed the Bill, postponing it once for more consultation. A lot of debate has been conducted over the Bill. Its advocaters see it as a crucial step to honour Rohith Vemula’s legacy and protect marginalised students. However, detrators, primarily from the BJP, have called it as a political move. They claim that existing laws are adequate and that the Bill might result in reverse discrimination.