AFTER EFFECTS OF A SUICIDE

The death of Mr Rohit Vemula in Hyderabad has once again brought back the issue of “intolerance “ to limelight. And everybody who is somebody has jumped into the bandwagon with their own interpretation of the whole incident. Allegations and counter allegations galore and everybody is trying hard to prove their point. But I feel everybody has missed some crucial points relevant or they chose to ignore these points

First of all I have not come across any statement condemning the act of suicide committed by Rohit. Being a bright scholar as reported, why did not he show the courage to stand up fearlessly and fight against the injustice, if it was done to him as is alleged? Where were these people who have come pledging support to him when he was alive and staying put in the campus fighting his case? Whatever be the provocation, suicide is not a solution to any problem at all. This message should be clearly given to the youth of our country, I believe. The Prime Minister has finally come out and said that after all the country and Rohit’s mother have lost a brilliant son.

I wonder why every issue that crops up is seen from the cast and religion angle only. Why doesn’t anyone go into the root causes of the incident and try to find out a solution for the same. If the reports are to be believed, the issue started with Rohit’s association with a students’ forum opposed to ABVP. In our country isn’t there a space for everybody to express their opinion? Why such differences of opinion lead to physical clashes in the campus? Isn’t it because of the political patronage enjoyed by these students’ organizations? In a University isn’t the Vice Chancellor the final authority regarding matters pertaining to the discipline of the university? Why outsiders should interfere or outsiders should be allowed to interfere in such matters? What was the interest of the central Minister in the tussle between Rohit and another student reported to an ABVP activist? Even if the Minister had written to VC seeking action against Rohit, wasn’t it the duty of the VC to apprise the Minister about the facts instead of meekly surrendering to the demand made by the Minister? Also what was the circumstances for forming a so called radical organization of which Rohit was reported to be a part? Has anybody try to analyse the basic reason for that?

Earlier there have been suggestions about de politicization of campuses in the country which have been vehemently opposed by almost all political parties. When we say de politicization, we only mean that the patronage the main line political parties to various students unions should end. Students should have freedom to form their own organizations to actively intervene in the affairs of the campus where they study and live and not become pawns in the hands of the main line politicians. Once they are out of the campus, they can join whatever political party they believe in and function accordingly. So ideally in a campus only one students' organization should be there to bargain for the students’ welfare.

I am sure the points mentioned above will not be palatable to the so called leaders but I urge upon the youth of the country to think on these lines and build a new India by their efforts.