Rohith Vemula Caste
In a significant move that is likely to have nation-wide ramification, the Guntur district Collector Kantilal Dande declared that Rohith Vemula, the scholar from University of Hyderabad (UoH), who had committed suicide in January, last year, is not a Dalith and the certificate has been obtained by fraudulent means. It may be recalled that his suicide caused nationwide stir alleging Dalith repression. Collector further stated that he belongs to Other Backward Classes (OBC).
After preparing a review report, the Collector had served a notice to the Vemula family, seeking their response within 15 days, stating why the certificate should not be cancelled. However, Vemula family is preparing for a legal battle challenging Collector’s order.
The Collector has taken this decision after the District Level Scrutiny Committee (DLSC) has submitted its final report stating that neither Rohith nor his mother Radhika were Dalits. They reportedly belong to Vaddera community which falls under the OBC (Other Backward Class) category. The committee has recommended the cancellation of the certificate issued to Rohith Vemula’s family.
According to Rohith’s younger brother Raja Vemula, the revenue officers have service notices to them on Feb 11 and the notices would be answered legally. Earlier, the family had alleged that Radhika was humiliated by the authorities during an inquiry into the caste status of Rohith asking her how she raised her kids.
The family members of Rohith have been alleging that the government was desperate to declare the young scholar as an OBC. “They (governments) are desperate to declare my son as OBC. I know what humiliation I have undergone being a Dalit in society,” said Radhika, Rohith’s mother on his first death anniversary at the UoH entrance in Hyderabad recently.
Meanwhile, a one-man judiciary, headed by former Allahabad High Court judge Justice AK Roopanwal, had also in August 2016, declared that Vemula belonged to OBC, stating that the false SC certificates were acquired by Radhika Vemula to avail the benefits of reservation.
