HYDERABAD: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of students’ organisations demanded the government to introduce a ‘Rohit Act’ to prevent discrimination against students in the name of religion, caste and social status.
Students Federation of India (SFI), Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU), All India Students Federation (AISF), among other student organisations formed a JAC recently to campaign for the introduction of Rohit Act and held a round table discussion in the city on Saturday.
“Universities should nurture an environment where students can express their views in their respective institutions. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Student Union president Kanhaiya Kumar did not express anything wrong, but he is branded as an anti-national by right-wing forces. Even the Supreme Court’s decision in case of Kanhaiya’s bail petition is disheartening. A new Rohit Act has to be introduced to stop discrimination against students in universities,” said Kota Ramesh, president of Students Federation of India, Telangana, while speaking at the round table conference.
“The BJP government at the Centre has been making efforts to push its Hindutva agenda in all spheres of life and convert India into a Hindu nation from a democratic nation. It is first selecting universities to spread its Hindutva ideology and is crushing the voices of underprivileged and disadvantaged section of students. The suicide of Rohit Vemula and arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar are examples of Union Government’s intolerance towards SC,STs and minorities of India, which should be stopped,” alleged J Srinivas, president of PDSU’s Telangana Unit.
Students from various parts of Telangana participated in the round table discussion and came up with suggestions to campaign for the Rohit Act against discrimination in universities.
A Venu, president of AISF, said that students will tour all districts and hold meetings in colleges to garner support for the Act and for relieving Kanhaiya Kumar.
Former secretary general of Indian Journalists Union (IJU) K Srinivas Reddy, Veekshanam magazine editor N Venugopal and student leaders from various organisations participated in the discussion.