Chalo Delhi: Rohith Vemula’s Suicide is a Clarion Call for Protest

Students, activists, workers, Dalits and teachers demand justice for Rohith Vemula and defend their right to dissent.

Students raise slogans during a rally demanding justice for Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula‘s at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Photo: PTI)

At a time when academic spaces are no longer safe havens for discussion or debate; and one’s freedom of expression is under threat, Rohith Vemula and his suicide have become a clarion call for protest and struggle.

The Chalo Delhi protest march on February 23 was a testimony to the fact that the systemically oppressed have had enough. A few thousand protesters took to the streets, demanding justice for Rohith Vemula, and for the JNU students who have been charged with sedition.

The atmosphere at the protest was electric: students, workers, Dalits, activists and teachers marched along the 4km stretch between Ambedkar Bhawan and Jantar Mantar, raising slogans and flags.

Students and activists demanded that the Rohith Act be implemented in universities, in an attempt to abolish caste discrimination and prevent numerous other Rohiths from making desperate decisions in order to be heard.

The protest was well-attended by students from universities across the country and well-known faces like CPI(M) member Brinda Karat and social and political activist, Medha Patkar.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also made an appearance at the protest.

(Camera person: Siddharth Safaya Video Editor: Sayantan Datta)