Obtuse on Vemula

In saying that “India has lost a son” in Rohith Vemula, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to comfortably side-step the issue of Vemula’s systemic victimisation at the University of Hyderabad. Earlier Union minister of labour and employment had sought strict action against Vemula for being “anti-national and casteist”. Instead of certifying people as patriots or anti-nationals, the BJP should ensure that dalits and the backward classes are not oppressed for opposing rigid hierarchies in any sphere, be it academic, professional or political.

Ritu Dhawan

Via email