Members of civil society group Campaign for Rohith Act have urged the State government to enact the Karnataka’s Rohith Vemula (Protection of SC/STs from Caste Discrimination in Higher Educational Institutions) Bill 2025, which aims to safeguard the right to education and dignity of the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) students in universities and higher educational institutions, in the upcoming Budget session of 2026.

Members of civil society group Campaign for Rohith Act have urged the State government to enact the Karnataka’s Rohith Vemula (Protection of SC/STs from Caste Discrimination in Higher Educational Institutions) Bill 2025, which aims to safeguard the right to education and dignity of the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) students in universities and higher educational institutions, in the upcoming Budget session.

They also urged the government to release the draft Rohith Vemula Act for public consultation and announce a clear timeline for its introduction and passage in the Legislative Assembly.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mavalli Shankar, State Convenor, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti said,

“On January 17, 2026, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition of Lok Sabha, publicly stated that the Karnataka government was in the process of implementing the Rohith Vemula Act. However, no draft has yet been released for public consultation, nor has a clear legislative timeline been announced. This delay has caused growing anxiety among SC/ST students across the State.”

“The Campaign reiterates that existing regulatory measures, including the UGC Equity Regulations, 2026, are insufficient to address structural caste-based discrimination in higher education. A dedicated Rohith Vemula Act remains urgently necessary. The enactment of the Rohith Vemula Act would mark a historic step toward ensuring dignity, equality, and justice in Karnataka’s universities and colleges,” he added.