Abhijit Ray, Kolkata:Hope we all can still remember Rohith Vemula? Rohit Vemula, a Dalit student of Hyderabad University, was killed. On January 17, 2016, who had to commit suicide with a rope around his neck. Twelve days before the suicide, five researchers including Rohit were thrown out of the university hostel. After this incident, the entire country erupted in anger. It was alleged that Rohit had to suffer caste discrimination. That Rohit Vemula’s mother has now joined Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo’ journey. Radhika Vemula joined Congress’s ‘Bharat Joro’ Yatra in Telangana. Seeing Rohit’s mother, Rahul Gandhi gave her a message to hug her and stand by her side. Rohit Vemula’s mother also walks with Rahul for a long time. Later she has tweeted from her Twitter handle. Rohit Vemula’s mother said, “I walked with Rahul Gandhi on the Bharat Joro Yatra for solidarity. To save the Constitution from BJP and RSS attack, justice for Rohit Vemula, passing Rohit Act, increasing representation of Dalits and providing education for all.” Later Rahul also tweeted in return. He said, “Rohit Vemula was and will remain a symbol of the fight against social inequality and injustice. After meeting Rohit’s mother, we got the courage and renewed strength to take steps towards our goal.” After Vemula’s death, her mother became one of the symbols of the fight against Dalit oppression in the country. From that point of view, Rohit Vemula’s mother walking with Rahul Gandhi is politically quite significant. It is to be noted that ever since Vemula committed suicide complaining of upper caste deprivation, there has been a lot of debate on that issue across the country. The Center has come under attack from the opposition many times. Attempts have also been made to prove that Palta Rohit was not a Dalit. However, Rohit’s mother is still fighting for Dalit equality.
