‘Not a Compromise’: Rohith Vemula’s Mom Accepts Compensation

Rohith Vemula had killed himself in 2016 inside the University of Hyderabad.

Radhika Vemula, mother of deceased research scholar Rohith Vemula who killed himself in 2016. 

(Photo: Smitha TK/The Quint)

After a two-year-long battle with the University of Hyderabad post Rohith Veluma suicide inside a hostel room, which triggered a series of nationwide protests and mass movements, the research scholar’s family has reportedly accepted the compensation as per the National Commission for Scheduled Castes directive that was first offered by the university in 2016.

His family had earlier rejected the compensation, which included a cheque of Rs 8 lakh from the university.

In a press release, Radhika Vemula, mother of Rohith, confirmed that the family had decided to accept the money because they felt that it was their rightful due, and that it in no way indicates that they were reaching a compromise with the university which they hold accountable for her son’s death.

You may recall that I had refused to accept the money when it was first offered. I was under the wrong impression that this money was being offered at the behest of (Vice Chancellor) Appa Rao and thought that they were trying to buy my silence.

Radhila Vemula, in a media release

“However, upon the advise of all the forefront legal and social supporters, I've learned that this money is being paid not at the the behest of Appa Rao but as per the orders of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC),” she added.

Radhika further said that it was the NCSC, which under the leadership of PL Puniya, had challenged the reports of the Justice AK Roopanwal Commission that was appointed by Smriti Irani to look into Rohith’s death. Some of these reports had strove to prove that Rohith was not a Dalit.

She indicated that she trusted the motive of the NCSC, considering that it was Puniya who had called the commission’s reports “fake and fictitious,” even though he had the pressure of the BJP government bearing down on him.

Radhika said that the reason behind her issuing a media release was because she wanted a level of transparency in all things that were related to this case and because she didn’t want rumours to abound that her family had reached any sort of deal with the people she alleges are responsible for her son’s death.

“I want to state in no unclear terms that the acceptance of this compensation, which is rightfully due to the family and dependents of Rohith Vemula, is in no way a compromise with the university management,” she said in the media release.

I will not rest until Appa Rao Podile and his masters in the BJP are punished for their crimes.

Radhika Vemula

She said that she had a responsibility being a “Veera Mathe” (the mother of a martyr), which is what she has found people calling her at the numerous rallies and protest marches across the country that she had attended.

I will always be conscious of my responsibility and promise never to let down the cause for which my son laid down his life.

Radhika Vemula

Radhika’s statement in the media release has been confirmed to The Quint by her other son and Rohith‘s brother, Raja Vemula. "We accepted the money because we realise that it is our right after all,” he said.

However, he also told The News Minute that they would only accept the cheque if it was given to them through the Dean of Students' Welfare. They would not accept any cheque given through the Vice Chancellor, he added.