Karnataka to introduce Rohith Vemula Bill in winter session
Karnataka is set to bring in the Rohith Vemula Bill this December, aiming to tackle caste-based discrimination in colleges and universities across the state.
Named after Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula, whose tragic death in 2016 sparked national outrage, the bill focuses on protecting students' rights to education and dignity.
What's in the bill?
If passed, the law will let students, faculty, and non-teaching staff report caste discrimination through special Equity Committees within institutions or through the courts.
Those found guilty could face written apologies for discrimination or jail time for serious offenses classified as atrocities.
Colleges breaking these rules risk hefty fines—anywhere from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh—and could lose state funding.
The bill is part of Congress's push for more inclusive campuses and comes after Rahul Gandhi urged state governments to act through formal letters earlier this year.