"#RohithVemulaFightsBack" : Peace March for Social Unity
On
the 30th of January 2016, thousands of Nagpurians with black ribbons
strapped around their mouths marched out on the street to protest against the death
of Rohith Vemula, a Dalit research scholar from Hyderabad University. The ribbons
were tied symbolically to indicate the voices of marginalised people like that
of Rohit Vermula being suppressed and their rights being denied. In order to
fight for Rohith’s case and such discrimination based on caste, thousands of people from around 50 different organizations gathered at Deekhshabhoomi, the place
where the great Dalit leader Dr. Ambedkar embraced Budhhism to do away with the
caste system.
The long procession of the silent Peace March began from Deekshabhoomi to Tulsibaugh Square which is of
approximately 7 km distance. Leaflets were distributed to people during the march
with the message that Rohith Vemula was a victim of caste system, and that such institutionalized murder
is highly condemned.
The
National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) with the initiative of Mr. Pradip
Bansrior, the Executive Secretary for the Commission on Dalits & Tribals/
Adivasis, actively participated in the march. Mr. Bansrior addressed the
gathered mass about the pressing issue.
It
was an event that saw people from different walks of life, faith, age and gender
transcending their differences and, coming together for Justice and Rights. This
unity march of around 50 organizations also formed a forum, “Rohith Vemula Fights Back
Forum” to fight the caste system together. Rohith Vemulla’s tragic death has surely challenged
our nation to urgently pay attention to its nonchalance towards caste based atrocities.
