Justice Chandra Kumar too bats for Rohith law

Hyderabad: In the wake of suicide by Vemula Rohith Chakravarti, Dalit research scholar at University of Hyderabad, there is growing demand for bringing in new law called “Rohith law” to deal with the caste-based discrimination in the universities.

From All India Congress Committee Vice-President Rahul Gandhi to students and teachers everyone is demanding for the new law. “This comes as the SC/ST Atrocities Act, enacted to prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes and scheduled Tribes, does not deal with discrimination and harassment of Dalits in the educational institutions.”

Speaking to The Hans India, Justice B Chandra Kumar, retired judge of High Court, strongly favoured for a separate law that would deal with discrimination towards Dalits in educational institutions. He said, “It is high time that this issue was addressed immediately. A separate act is a must,” he said.

Justice Chandra Kumar said there were some guides who would treat their students well. There were allegations against some guides who were harassing students by not helping them in the thesis or would not approve fellowships, etc.

“Recently while interacting with teachers of University of Hyderabad, I am told that they too feel discriminated and harassed,” he added. He suggested that the students, who were unable to complete PhD due to discrimination and harassment by guides, be consulted before enacting any law to tackle the issue.