January 17, 2026 marks 10 years since Rohith Vemula, a 26-year-old Dalit research scholar at the University of Hyderabad, died by suicide. His death followed alleged harassment and sparked nationwide protests against caste discrimination in higher education. Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader, said the problems Dalit students face on campuses have not changed much. He tweeted, "Today marks 10 years since Rohith Vemula’s passing. But Rohith’s question still resonates in our hearts: does everyone in this country have an equal right to dream?" Gandhi explained that Rohith wanted to study, write, and understand society to make India better. However, "this system could not tolerate a Dalit’s progress," he said. Citing casteism, social exclusion, and humiliation, Gandhi said these forces stripped Rohith of dignity and isolated him. "And today? Has the reality for Dalit youth changed? The same contempt on campus, the same isolation in hostels, the same feeling of inferiority in classrooms, the same violence—and sometimes, the same death. Because caste is still the biggest admission form in this country," Gandhi added. He stressed the need for the 'Rohit Vemula Act,' calling it a necessity, not just a slogan. Gandhi urged Dalit students to unite and push for this law so caste discrimination in education becomes a crime. He said strict action must be taken to stop caste-based exclusion. Congress governments in Karnataka and Telangana are working to implement this law at the state level, Gandhi said. He called for a fairer society where no Dalit student must sacrifice their life just to dream. He described fighting caste discrimination in education as a shared responsibility.