HYDERABAD: Students at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) boycotted classes on Saturday, marking the **10th death anniversary** of research scholar Rohith Vemula. A group of students marched across the campus, demanding justice for Vemula, who died by suicide on **January 17, 2016**.
Student Protest and Commemoration
Students gathered at ‘Velivaada’ (North Shopcom) on the university campus. They actively supported the ‘Justice for Rohith Vemula’ movement. Dushyant, Vice-President of the UoH Ambedkar Students Association (ASA), stated students commemorated ten years of “institutional murder” and “justice denied.”
Radhika Vemula, Rohith’s mother, attended the commemorative events. Gujarat Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani also joined students and others. They garlanded the Rohith Stupa located at Velivaada. A ‘Mashal Juloos’ (torch procession) was also held on campus.
The Case of Rohith Vemula
Rohith Vemula, a PhD student, was found dead in a hostel room on the UoH campus a decade ago. His death prompted widespread protests across India, drawing attention to issues of caste discrimination within higher education institutions. Vemula’s case remains a significant point of discussion regarding social justice.
Demand for Accountability
The ASA designated ‘Rohith Shahadath Din’ as a symbol of resistance, assertion, and commemoration. This day unites the voices of Dalit-Bahujan-Adivasi individuals affected in educational spaces and supports Dalit self-respect movements. The association maintains that the death represents systemic issues.
The ASA asserts that ten years later, no accountability has been established from the University of Hyderabad, the Ministry of Education, or the Indian state for Vemula’s death. The group stated Vemula continues to symbolize resistance against caste discrimination within educational institutions. They affirm the struggle will persist until caste is eliminated from academic environments.