The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the draft of the Rohith Vemula Bill, formally titled Prevention of Discrimination, Exclusion or Injustice, aimed at protecting Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students from caste discrimination in higher education institutions.
The proposed law seeks to ensure equal access to education and prohibit discrimination against SC/ST students across public, private and deemed universities in Karnataka.
₹10 lakh penalty proposed
One of the key provisions includes strict penalties for those found guilty of caste-based harassment or discrimination. The draft proposes fines of up to ₹10 lakh.
The bill is seen as a landmark reform to create safer and more inclusive campuses across the state.
Equity committees in every institution
Under the proposal, every higher education institution must establish an equity committee to handle complaints of discrimination and harassment.
These panels will be chaired by an SC/ST member not below the rank of assistant professor and include six other members. At least two student representatives from SC/ST communities must be included, while 80 per cent of the committee members should belong to SC/ST groups.
Government may move quickly
Priyank Kharge said the government may also consider bringing the law through an ordinance before the new academic session begins, instead of waiting for the next legislature session expected in June.
Officials said the aim is to ensure implementation before colleges reopen.
Named in memory of Rohith Vemula
The proposed legislation is named after Rohith Vemula, whose death led to nationwide conversations on discrimination in educational spaces.
Major step in campus justice debate
The bill now moves closer to being tabled in the legislature and could become one of India’s most significant state-level anti-discrimination education laws