Screening of documentary on Rohit Vemula

A documentary on Rohit Vemula, the PhD scholar of University of Hyderabad, who committed suicide on January 17, 2016 after being suspended from hostel, was screened at Lamakaan recently. “Every story begins with a birth but this story has begun with death,” the film begins poignantly with these lines. The 57-minute documentary directed by Srikanth Chintala. explains what had happened before and after Rohit Vemula’s death in the University of Hyderabad campus.

The beginning of the film showcases the conflict between Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP) and Ambedkar Students Association (ASA) which highlights the ideological differences. In the film, the ABVP describes ASA students as extremists for taking out a rally in support of terrorist Yakub Memon.

The movie also explains briefly about letters of Bandaru Dattatreya to HRD Minister Smriti Irani on August 3 and letters from HRD Ministry to UOH officials on September 3 and 4, October 20 and November 19. The letter that was purportedly written by Bandaru Dattatreya calls ASA students as casteist and extremists.

The second part of the film narrates about Rohit’s childhood and his family background. It also explains the details about the five students who were suspended along with Rohit Vemula. The voiceover in the movie reads out all the letters that were written by Rohit. In the end, it shows that Vice-Chancellor Appa Rao, who was involved in Rohit issue, and has got an award recently.

It ends with the quote that the Rohit Vemula is still fighting for justice even after his death. “I directed this film to show what exactly had happened at the time of incident.. It was uploaded on YouTube and is available in more than 9 languages. I’m also directing another movie on Rohit, ‘Rohit Vemula Online Diaries’,” shared Srikanth.