Comprehending Rohith Vemula

rohith-vemula

To those ranting “Anti-national” jibes on Social media about Phd Scholar, ‪#‎RohithVemula‬ from the University of Hyderabad who committed suicide last Sunday evening, let us try and understand what Rohith Vemula stood for:

1. We may disagree with Rohith’s protest against Yakub Memon’s hanging, but here’s the thing:

Remember that whether a democratic nation can carry out “Capital Punishment” is already a Global debate. More than 100 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes. . He says on Yakub Memon hanging,” If death penalty is the only punishment we can offer to the convicted people, we must stop calling OUR NATION democratic. So, Rohith just stood towards ‘that’ side of the debate on ‘Capital Punishments’

His ‘Anti-Terrorism’ credentials are very much evident through his FB posts where he vehemently criticizes ISIS, Patriarchy in Saudi Arabia or where he expresses strong grief and solidarity towards the Indian Jawans martyred in 2008 Mumbai Blasts or more recently in Pathankot. His words, “26th November marks the 7th Anniversary for the grisly attacks on Mumbai killing 173 people. The terrorist attacks motivated by extremist religious ideology left the nation in huge shock and it questioned our basic understanding of combating terrorism. The attacks were a demonstration of how dangerous the mix of chauvinistic nationalism and religious bigotry could be. On this day it is important for everyone of us to resolve against any extremist ideology, illogical hatred and depending upon religion to make our daily choices.”

2. We may disagree with his support to Beef-Festival, but here’s the thing (In his own words from his FB post):

” First of all, I am not one of those who think beef eating is eternally emancipatory. And I am not also a cultural apologist.Something is a psuedo-scientific thing, I would not wish it to be continued on the name of cultural tradition. Coming to the core aspect of my ranting, beef eating in public is not an act of reclaiming something from the history. It was to show resistance for those contemporary forces in today’s India (Well, must be said the Always’ India, no?) who think that they can control the others’ way of life. Beef eating is an element of culture of resistance which must concern everyone rather than an exclusive Dalit resistance culture.
Eating beef and celebrating beef eating is an act of solidarity with all those who are getting murdered on this reason nation wide. If we fail to see the fact that the BJP-RSS-VHP scheme of anti-beef campaign is essentially a tool to persecute Muslim minorities in this country, we would regret for being the mute spectators of another mass unrest in OUR COUNTRY. The whole cow myth is less anti-Dalit today and more of anti-Muslim propaganda.”

3. You may disagree with the initial Inquiry Committee’s report which said:

“The Board could not get any hard evidence of beating of Susheel Kumar either from Krishna Chaitanya or from the reports submitted by Dr.Anupama. Dr.Anupama’s reports also could not link or suggest the surgery of the Susheel Kumar is the direct result of the beating.”

The above matter though is being currently investigated, therefore we must wait till the facts are completely established on this.

Finally, you may disagree with his various viewpoints, but let us hold-on and understand what Rohith stood for throughout his short life. Rohith’s ultimate ‘struggle’ through all his actions as an activist of ASA was to use his own words from his suicide note and another post was for:

a) “The value of a man was reduced to his immediate identity and nearest possibility. To a vote. To a number. To a thing. Never was a man treated as a mind. As a glorious thing made up of star dust. In every field, in studies, in streets, in politics, and in dying and living”.

b) “The shift of my political identity from Marxism to Ambedkarism is a conscious move into building a new future on the basis of more humane, more inclusive society”.

.. and many more of his posts only reveal that he always dreamt to work for an INCLUSIVE, IDENTITY-LESS society which Babasaheb Ambedkar always aspired. Rohith had his own brand/idea of Nation & Nationalism which Babasaheb explains as below:

Dr. Ambedkar’s idea of nation is not only of a political or geographical entity, having a map and a flag. He didn’t subscribe to the popular definition of nation something as “large group of people living in one area with their own government, language, traditions, etc. (Cambridge Dictionary).” For him idea of nation has to have a philosophical and spiritual connotation with welfare, equity and fraternity as central themes. While explaining his idea of nation he had quoted French philosopher Ernest Renan saying that “A nation is a living soul, a spiritual principle. Two things, which in truth are but one, constitute the soul, this spiritual principle. The actual consent, the desire to live together.”

Therefore, before we brand Rohith as “Anti-National” etc, let us introspect whether are we not guilty of being intolerant towards a viewpoint or action which does not go well with our understanding of Nation or Nationalism or Humanity?

We may say that Rohith committed suicide because of the events, the Social Boycott through the external influences and the might of political powers viz: MLC, MP, Union Ministers etc that followed in the campus. However, the fact is that he took such a step for more “FUNDAMENTAL” reason, principles and concerns about the society around, quite evident through his letter. How the VALUE OF MAN who deserves to be TREATED AS A MIND and a glorious thing made up of star dust has been reduced to some IMMEDIATE IDENTITY throughout his various lifetime experiences. We must admit that there has to be something wrong with the campuses and society around when we have the alarming figures available on Dalit students committing suicides due to PREJUDICE around. By the way, Rohith wasn’t a mere student but a Phd Scholar who achieved the Phd seat without using his SC status. So the ‘incompetence’, ‘reservations’ argument for suicides does not hold in case of Rohith but only the argument of Prejudice he faced does. This is evident when he suggests to VC for a Rope, Sodium Azide, Euthanasia to Dalit students “With a dire, to use If they feel like reading Ambedkar”. Clearly, he appears disturbed with a fact that one cannot survive (due to caste-prejudice) with Liberty in the University if one asserts the views of Ambedkar in open. Rohith finally lost the hope about the fundamental ideas of human life and the world which he aspired for. This is evident from below words in his suicide note:

“I loved Science, Stars, Nature, but then I loved people without knowing that people have long since divorced from nature. Our feelings are second handed. Our love is constructed. Our beliefs colored. Our originality valid through artificial art”

12375974_10208122850097520_4971412850311757433_n (1)
“Not speaking about caste cannot eradicate the caste…. It just makes the discrimination nameless!!! And our activisms are not Identity politics, they are struggles for recognition.” –  Rohith Vemula
Expelled_students_forced_to_vacate_hostels
Rohith proudly carrying the “dangerous substance” while he was expelled (socially boycotted) from the hostel.

 

As they say, Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. While quitting from this world, Rohith manifests that he was a Great mind, one, by NOT blaming “PEOPLE” (even enemies) and two, NOT any EVENTS but three, purely his IDEAS about the human life & his world-view behind his decision to depart from his life.

People (driven by some ideologies around) who in a way are celebrating Rohith’s death, the only thought which comes to mind is “Maut bhi jinki aanko me ashk nahi laati, kaise maan le ye insan ki aulaade hain”. However, poetic response to radical jibes is less engaging hence less democratic approach towards dissent, hence the above piece..

The students from all social backgrounds have stood-up now, for this is not an issue of one caste, one person, and one incidence. This is the issue of Human rights and about Liberty, Equality, Fraternity and Justice.

Let’s hope and wish we ‘Understand’ (if not agree with) Rohith apart from the ideological debates around, at least after he is gone, to use his words again..”in search of another world from the shadows towards the stars, HAPPY DEAD THAN BEING ALIVE”.

 

By Pratik Tembhurne

One Last time,

JAI BHEEM, Rohith !

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11 thoughts on “Comprehending Rohith Vemula”

  1. It was a waste of 5 min of my life to read this article. Apart from putting Rohith on a pedestal, there is nothing in it. Rohith was a fine young man if confused (frequent changes of his affiliations), going by his FB wall. Given time, he would have done well, but it was not to be. What a terrible waste of a young life.

    I wish those who see everything only through political lenses move away, and let some positive steps be taken to help young students. One such steps may be to cut the umbilical cord between campus politics and regional/national politics. Make sure campus politics stays local ? Having an opinion is fine, but organizing students to hold events over larger issues was discouraged, but not heeded to in this day & age of narcissim.

  2. First of all the author have beautifully crafted story making vermulla level like some great intellectual . u can craft the words but my dear friend first of all this guy did suicide .
    U very well know suicide is a crime and it is an act of coward people . this kind og guys should not be given any sympathy . dont decorate his cowardice with beautiful words this guy is a pycopath and dangerous element foe the society. I can counter u on all other points death penalty or bla bla bla but do not find worth discussing for persons like him my time is not so cheap!

    1. Can an act of suicide be called an act of cowardice? It is a psychological situation of frustration, a situation of no hope. Such people need counselling to see the open roads. It may be a crime. But what led it to that act is also to be seen. And this I think we are responsible for any suicide, whether farmers, wives or school children. I am part of that guilt.

      Joseph M. Pithekar, S. J..
      jpithe@jesuits.net *Today and just for today I shall be satisfied with and be grateful to whatever happens.* Pasayadaan, Nala, P.O. Sopara, Nalasopara West, Palghar Dist 401 203.
      India.

      .

      .Mo.

    2. Suicide is an act of helpless, hopeless people and those who did not survive the attempt to commit suicide are far beyond the duality of bravery and cowardice. Those who did, know this duality more than someone who spends his precious time evaluating the degree of bravery and cowardice in others. Suppose I tried to commit suicide somewhere along the line and survived and then you come along and tell me that I am coward, it is not relevant to me anymore. The very peak of the hopelessness which disturbed me because I was always trying to depend on hope, has passed. Now I do not trust to hope anymore and someone who praises virtues such as bravery is still within the stranglehold of hope. I can see it clearly. Therefore someone who tells me that I am coward, is irrelevant to me.

      Apart from that, those who are making a virtue out of his hopelessness are no different. There is no Rohith Vemula to tell his version. Whatever he had to say is there in his suicide letter. I admire that letter. Everyone can not stand hopelessness. Those who can not stand it, are still trying to cling to hope. Those who do, there is no hope to cling to and therefore nothing to stand or endure either.

      Politics is war. A democracy is a battlefield. You tell me that if I give up the war, I am a coward. Alright. But that is irrelevant to me as soon as this war is irrelevant to me.

  3. MAJHAB NAHI SIKHATA AAPAS ME BAIR RAKHNA ,HINDI HAI HUM ,WATAN HAI HINDUSITA HAMARA ,SARE JAHA SE ACCHA HINDUSITA HAMARA ,HUM BULBULE HAI ISKI ,YE GULSITA HAMARA .WE SHOULD HAVE PEOPLE ,WHO CALLS/ORDER/ADVICE OTHERS FOR/TO DO GOOD WORK/TALK AND STOP DOING BAD WORK/ DEEDS.EVERY BODY NEED PEACE AND PEACE IS IN RELIGION ,IN MORAL /SANSKAR /AKHLAQUE.PRAY FOR ALL. AAMEN

  4. Oh yes! Because eradicating capital punishment would itself make India a wholly democratic country, isnt it?

    Just like he had an opinion in this democratic country, so do other ppl.

    Anti muslim? While i defend the fact that ppl should have the freedom to chose what they eat, paiting anti-muslim picture on it was simply stupid. What happend to anti muslim when nirbhayas most brutal rapist was awarded 10k for rehabilitation??

    U cant change the fact that there is nothing but political gain surrounding his suicide.

    SC ?? Really?? Did u talk to his dad?

    Dalit suicides – do u have any evidence of growing numbers?

    For a phd scholar who was paid 25k tax payer’s rupees, show me one good proof how his research could have contributed to the well being of thr nation.

  5. The trouble is that the ruling party has power to punish us and we are called to defend ourselves for opposing ideology that want to suppress every other opposition. This is human tragedy.

  6. Dear Pratik, Peace.
    Who is calling Rohith an anti national? It is the present BJP govt. They have drawn lines of nationality according to their beliefs. So any one who does not enter this circle is an anti national. How strange!
    The present govt is against Ambedkarwadis. They will pay lip service to Ambedkar n his teaching. They know very well that his teaching will challenge their strong beliefs. Will RSS own Ambedkar?
    I hope there are more Ambedkarwdis to challenge the present government policies. May the Marathi periodical, Sugava, published from Pune by Mr.
    Vilas Wagh will bring the Jai Bhim people together. In democracy we need a counter challenge.
    Fight for Rohith is fight for equality and liberty n brotherhood.
    Sincerely, Joseph M. Pithekar,

    Joseph M. Pithekar, S. J..
    jpithe@jesuits.net *Today and just for today I shall be satisfied with and be grateful to whatever happens.* Pasayadaan, Nala, P.O. Sopara, Nalasopara West, Palghar Dist 401 203.
    India.

    .

    .Mo.

  7. People who oppose BJP, RSS and VHP in the name of intolerance are themselves being intolerant to a different set of ideas. People who oppose Modi government because they are losing all the doles of CONgress governments should be opposed at all cost.

  8. Final words are often a profound philosophy. One expects no solution and just spotlights the things as they are. I liked the letter he wrote. It was not shallow.

  9. There are terrorists everywhere. The Muslims, the Jews, the Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, everywhere we find religion. If killing is he solution, we must kill everybody because we must find a solution to it.

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