Telangana Police recently wrapped up their investigation into the tragic death of Rohith Vemula, a PhD student at the University of Hyderabad, who took his own life back in January 2016.
Their findings indicate that Vemula’s decision to end his life was driven by his apprehension over his caste identity being revealed, as he identified as a member of the Scheduled Caste community. In 2015, Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya raised concerns with the Ministry of Human Resource Development regarding alleged discriminatory practices at the university, sparking accusations of contributing to Vemula’s suicide.
The closure report clears former Hyderabad University Vice Chancellor Appa Rao and several BJP leaders, including the then Secunderabad MP Bandaru Dattatreya, Union Minister Smriti Irani, former MLC N Ramachander Rao, and ABVP leaders of any wrongdoing.
Telangana Police Closes Investigation in Rohith Vemula Case
Eight years after Rohith Vemula’s tragic death in January 2016, the Telangana Police concluded their investigation by clearing several individuals, including Secunderabad MP Bandaru Dattatreya, legislative council member N Ramachander Rao, Hyderabad Central University’s then vice-chancellor Appa Rao, and minister Smriti Irani, of any wrongdoing.
According to reports, the police stated that Rohith’s suicide was not related to his caste status as he was not from the Scheduled Caste and feared his true caste would be revealed. Following the filing of the closure report, protests erupted at Hyderabad Central University.
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Story of Rohith Vemula
Rohith Vemula, a PhD student at Hyderabad Central University, tragically took his own life on January 17, 2016, igniting widespread concern about caste discrimination. Starting from July 2015, the university ceased providing his financial support, and shortly after, he was suspended following a confrontation with certain ABVP members.
In his farewell note, Rohith described his birth as a dreadful accident, expressing deep loneliness from his childhood that he could never overcome. He pleaded for help in securing seven months’ worth of his fellowship, totaling one lakh and seventy-five thousand rupees, for his family’s sake. Additionally, he mentioned owing around forty thousand rupees to Ramji, urging that this amount be repaid to him.
Rohith Vemula’s Caste Certificate
Rohith Vemula’s mother obtained a certificate for him, as revealed in the closure report. The police found that Rohith was aware he wasn’t part of the Scheduled Caste. He knew his mother got him the certificate.
This fact might have worried him, as exposing it could mean losing his academic achievements and facing legal consequences. The report also mentions that Rohith had other issues troubling him, possibly contributing to his decision to end his life.
The closure report revealed that the investigating officer suggested a DNA test to confirm Rohith’s caste. When asked, Rohith’s mother didn’t respond to the offer of a DNA test to compare her genetics with those of her family members.
Bandaru Dattatreya and HCU VC’s Involvement in Rohith Vemula Case
In 2015, after a confrontation between ‘Dalit’ students, including Rohith Vemula, and an ABVP leader, Bandaru Dattatreya expressed concerns to the HRD ministry, accusing HCU of inaction. Prior to his tragic suicide, Vemula penned a letter to VC Appa Rao detailing his harassment as a Dalit student.
Following Vemula’s death, Smriti Irani, in a press conference, disputed his Dalit identity.
Controversy Surrounding Rohith Vemula’s Caste
There’s been a dispute over whether Rohith Vemula was Dalit or not. The Andhra Pradesh government argued he belonged to the Vaddera OBC caste, not Dalit. However, Rohith’s mother contests this, stating she was born into a Dalit family of migrant workers and later adopted by an OBC family.
She never knew her biological parents and was married into an OBC family, only to be abandoned later by her husband when her children were young.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1. Who was Rohith Vemula?
Ans. Rohith Vemula was a PhD student at Hyderabad Central University who tragically took his own life in January 2016, sparking nationwide discussions on caste discrimination.
Q.2. What was the outcome of Telangana Police’s investigation?
Ans. Telangana Police concluded their investigation, clearing several individuals, including Bandaru Dattatreya, N Ramachander Rao, Appa Rao, and Smriti Irani, of any wrongdoing in Rohith Vemula’s suicide.
Q.3. Why did Rohith Vemula’s suicide spark controversy?
Ans. His suicide raised concerns about caste discrimination, exacerbated by allegations of harassment by university officials and leaders, leading to protests and widespread debate on the issue.
Q.4. What role did Bandaru Dattatreya and other leaders play?
Ans. Dattatreya expressed concerns to the HRD ministry regarding alleged discriminatory practices at the university. Rohith Vemula’s suicide letter detailed harassment as a Dalit student, implicating VC Appa Rao and others.
Q.5. What is the latest on Rohith Vemula’s caste controversy?
Ans. The controversy persists over Rohith Vemula’s caste identity, with conflicting claims from authorities and his family, further fueled by the recent closure report stating his suicide wasn’t caste-related.
