The Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Bhatti Vikramarka said on Friday that to prevent incidents like Rohit Vemula’s suicide from repeating, the Congress is committed to bringing a special legislation—the Rohith Vemula Law—to ensure protection and equal rights for Dalits, Adivasis and all backward communities. Rahul Gandhi’s commitment, he said, gave hope and confidence to marginalized communities across the coun

Speaking at a press meet at the AICC headquarters in Delhi alongside AICC SC cell Chairman Rajendra Pal Gautam, the Deputy Chief Minister demanded that the BJP apologize for rewarding those responsible for the death of Rohith Vemula, a PhD scholar at the University of Hyderabad. He said the contents of Rohith Vemula’s suicide note and the petitions submitted to university authorities before his death were shameful and a matter of national concern.

The Deputy Chief Minister alleged that a campaign was launched against Rohith and others, with the then VC being pressured from above—particularly by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. BJP MLC Ramchander Rao allegedly exerted pressure on local police to file cases against five students. Unable to withstand the mounting pressure, the university administration expelled Rohith and his peers from the hostel, which pushed Rohith to take the extreme step, Bhatti Vikramarka explained.

Bhatti Vikramarka pointed out that the then MLC Ramchander Rao, has now been appointed BJP Telangana State President and Sushil Kumar, considered one of the primary culprits, has been appointed Assistant Professor in Delhi. The Deputy Chief Minister criticised the BJP for consistently supporting those who target Dalits and Adivasis to the point of pushing them toward death. He said the BJP has proved what marginalized communities have always feared that the party rewards those who inflict suffering upon them. The Deputy Chief Minister further revealed that the Telangana government has already submitted a note in court seeking to reopen the Rohith Vemula case, and that no one responsible will be spared.