Rohith’s Caste Outshone His Merit, Talent: Mother

Visakhapatnam: “I will not relent fighting till I get justice for my son,” said V Radhika, mother of Rohith Vemula who committed suicide on the campus of University of Hyderabad.

Radhika, in her attempt to garner support from civil organisations to ensure justice for her son, arrived in the city on Friday.

She lamented that it was painful to watch her son being identified by his caste rather than his merit just because he was a Dalit.

“Rohith was an intelligent student who had secured an All-India 6th rank in UoH entrance exam and got admission. But after his suicide, people are raising doubt on his talent and credentials. Caste factor outshone his merits and intelligence,” a visibly pensive Radhika said.

Radhika went on to put the blame on the university management particularly the V-C for death of Rohith.

She demanded that a detailed probe be made into the series of events that led to Rohith’s suicide and punish the people responsible for it.  “I have rejected the ex gratia of `8 lakh offered by the university management. We will not end protest till people who abetted Rohith’s suicide are punished,” she said.

At the meeting organised by Mahila Chethana here on Friday, various civil and women rights organisers demanded justice for Rohith and appealed to the government to bring out a law for protection of Dalit students who are facing problems in the higher institution of learning.

Mahila Chetana president K Padma said caste issues particularly those involving Dalit students were prevalent in Central Universities and we need to wage a fight to ensure that no student suffers like Rohith again.

Source: The New Indian Express