A day after Rohith Vemula, a research scholar at the University of Hyderabad (UoH), committed suicide by hanging himself in his hostel room, tributes have been pouring in for him on social media from friends, classmates, acquaintances and even those who sadly came to know of him through his death.
Rohith was one of the five dalit scholars suspended by the university last year, after he got involved in a verbal clash between two student groups in August last year. He was associated with the Ambedkar Students' Association (ASA).
In a Facebook post, Chittibabu Padavala, a Ph.D scholar with TISS wrote, "Among us, younger generation of Dalit Marxists, Rohith alone is the man of action while most of the rest of us are either taking a break or retired. None ever doubted for a moment that it would be Rohith who would formulate and put to practice the right and effective political paradigm on central universities in Hindutva times. He embodied the rare combination of energy, intellect, principled
"Outrageous and shameful! This is how person's life is treated in this system!," wrote Nikita Mishra, another Facebook user.
Several pages in solidarity with Rohith have also been started on the social networking site.
In Twitter, the mood surrounding the issue has generally been morose with many calling his suicide a "murder" by the system.
#RohitVemula ; tragic suicide. India's moment of shame, as anti-Dalit wave continues unabated under #ModiSarkar. Heads must roll. Now.
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) January 18, 2016
Rohith Vemula, one of five Dalit scholars expelled by Uni of Hyderabad has committed suicide. This is murder.... https://t.co/XbOPuL91oP
— Meena Kandasamy (@meenakandasamy) January 17, 2016
Those saying #RohitVemula suicide was not due to victimisation by Govt, Univ, read his letter to the VC of UoH a... https://t.co/nCdh8e1NcC
— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) January 18, 2016
"I loved Science, Stars, Nature.." #RohitVemula death is a collective shame for all of us. #DalitLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/MPXaCnnowd
— Dr.Sujan Chakraborty (@Sujan_Speak) January 18, 2016
We won't let your sacrifice go in vain, #RohitVemula. https://t.co/nkdTfMJIu2
— NSUI (@nsui) January 18, 2016
Remember Chuni Kotal, the 1st Lodha girl to become a graduate & then forced to commit suicide? #RohitVemula https://t.co/CAytEOzW2Z
— Nandini Sen (@nandinicsen) January 18, 2016
It's not a Suicide, Punish the Culprits #RohitVemula pic.twitter.com/cTQMLI8co3
— Deepak Negi (@deepaknegi23) January 18, 2016
Feeling very uncomfortable after hearing the tragic news of #RohitVemula's suicide & reading his suicide note! It's a murder! #HCUShame
— Anand Pradhan (@apradhan1968) January 18, 2016
Who is responsible for #rohitvemula death? admin or govt fails to safeguard #Dalit
— Mirza hyd (@mirzahyd1) January 18, 2016
#rohitvemula in his suicide note describe partiality in his native village and in University towards #Dalit.
— Mirza hyd (@mirzahyd1) January 17, 2016
Just 1 piece of news on d death of #RohitVemula ! Dalit's lives doesn't matter.. :( Such a casteist society.. No one can dare to raise voice
— Ananya Kanojia (@AnanyaKanojia) January 17, 2016
From the day your are born Till you die The masks of life Are not seen with eyes. #RohitVemula pic.twitter.com/wDxMVDSYeA
— SUNDAR DUTTA (@SUNDARmyth) January 17, 2016