Rohith Vemula’s suicide: Turning Point For Politics In India
Tehelka|January 30 2016

Rohith Vemula’s suicide follows a long history of discrimination against Dalits in universities and other centres of higher education. Could this be a turning point for Dalit and student politics in India?

Deepti Sreeram
Rohith Vemula’s suicide: Turning Point For Politics In India

The year was 2012. At a Central University campus in Hyderabad, student protesters had encircled the then acting Vice Chancellor (VC). Despite repeated attempts at initiating a dialogue on student issues at the university campus, the VC had literally walked away from any form of engagement. Taking matters into their hands, the protesters finally found a chance to have a talk with the vc as she made her way to the parking lot. In polite tones, a first generation ST student activist began the conversation: “Ma’am, see we...” Interrupting him, the VC replied with an expression of deep revulsion, “Talk to me in proper legal English.”

In 2014, the same student was rusticated along with two others for allegedly breaking the glass doors of the university library during a protest. Even in the absence of proof linking the student to the incident or the fact that the strike was called by the university’s students council — thus bringing in a large number of students, anyone of whom could have broken the doors in the ensuing struggle with the administration — the blame fell squarely on the shoulders of the student activist who had many a time called out the university’s blatant caste discrimination.

“The students’ council had given a letter to the proctor and the vc saying that they would be responsible in case anything adverse happened during the course of the protest,” the student tells me on condition of anonymity. “But they did not take any action against the students’ council. Instead, they rusticated us; that, too, when the 16-member library staff had given a letter stating that they had not seen anyone of us breaking the glass.” As of now, the case against the three students, all belonging to socially and economically backward communities, is pending at the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 30 2016 من Tehelka.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 30 2016 من Tehelka.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من TEHELKA مشاهدة الكل
Why Did Ratan Tata Feel Compelled To Take Charge Again?
Tehelka

Why Did Ratan Tata Feel Compelled To Take Charge Again?

Did Cyrus Mistry fall victim to an ossified corporate culture or did he violate Tata Sons’ ethos and culture? MG BanGa tells the story so far.

time-read
10+ mins  |
30 November 2016
Misguided Youths Or Trained Terrorists?
Tehelka

Misguided Youths Or Trained Terrorists?

As part of a dangerous trend emerging across the world, homegrown ISIL sympathisers are willing and attempting to carry out deadly terror attacks without any comprehensive support system.

time-read
5 mins  |
July 31 2016
Indian Railways: Living In Dreams
Tehelka

Indian Railways: Living In Dreams

Indian Railways is changing track, giving up its separate Budget and experimenting with surge pricing on three popular trains. That leaves the behemoth with no funds to replace ageing assets and encourage further investments.

time-read
10+ mins  |
31 October 2016
Priyanka Gandhi Agreed To Play Bigger Role In UP
Tehelka

Priyanka Gandhi Agreed To Play Bigger Role In UP

Further delay in decision making could be detrimental to the party’s goal to rejuvenate its prospects in the State Assembly elections.

time-read
4 mins  |
July 15 2016
Mission 2019: Banega Swachh India?
Tehelka

Mission 2019: Banega Swachh India?

Two years ago, Modi kicked off a cleanliness drive in a spectacular way. Showing the contrast between world cities and Gurgaon, MG BANGA suggests ways in which the mission can be accomplished by 2019.

time-read
7 mins  |
September 15 2016
The Goodwill Enjoyed By Mehabooba Mufti Has Been Erased!
Tehelka

The Goodwill Enjoyed By Mehabooba Mufti Has Been Erased!

Mehbooba Mufti risks losing her popularity and irking her party ranks by using New Delhi’s rulebook to deal with the unrest in Kashmir.

time-read
8 mins  |
August 31 2016
Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?
Tehelka

Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?

New Delhi needs to be cautious as in Pakistan’s scheme of things, strategic ties with China can serve as a powerful weapon to deal with adversaries like India.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 15 2016
Panama Papers: Nawaz Sharif'S Troubles Escalate
Tehelka

Panama Papers: Nawaz Sharif'S Troubles Escalate

After his name surfaced in the Panama paper leak following several other charges of money laundering filed against him, there is pressure on Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif to resign.

time-read
5 mins  |
30 November 2016
This Potus Will Make The World Go Bust
Tehelka

This Potus Will Make The World Go Bust

The man who believes global warming is a hoax and has a short attention span will now preside over the affairs not just of the United States but of the whole world. A daunting prospect.

time-read
9 mins  |
30 November 2016
Reel-Life Bohemians, Real-Life Hyprocrites
Tehelka

Reel-Life Bohemians, Real-Life Hyprocrites

ADHM vs Palm Grove Heights: In cinematic life, two strangers Ranbir and Anushka meet in a pub in London and go on a kissing spree while in actual life back in India, a woman from Barcelona was evicted from her male friend’s home in Gurugram. Is cinema really a mirror of society?

time-read
4 mins  |
30 November 2016