Campaign for Rohith Act
Demands for a Rohith Act first emerged in Telangana after Rohith Vemula’s death in 2016, leading to two drafted bills that never became law due to limited public awareness and engagement. In July, 2024, the call was revived in Karnataka through a collective of civil society groups, lawyers, academics, students, and the Ambedkar Reading Circle. These efforts culminated in a visible demonstration at Freedom Park on 5th April, 2026. Thereafter, the Chief Minister of Karnataka publicly committed to enacting a Rohith Act. Soon after, when reports suggested that the government might frame a law criminalising discrimination without clearly defining what discrimination is, Campaign members felt a responsibility to step in constructively. Through intensive mobilisation, consultation, and research, they developed a model legislation—infusing the spirit of the Rohith Vemula movement with the law. We then submitted the Model Legislation to the Government of Karnataka as the “People’s draft”. The Government of Karnataka has given its due consideration to this People’s Draft engaging in two multiple rounds of consultation with the Campaign team to refine the draft. The Cabinet has finally approved most of the People’s Draft as the Karnataka Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Discrimination, Exclusion or Injustice) (Right to Education and Dignity) Bill, 2026 on 16.04.2026.