Report submitted by the Roopanwal commission that was constituted to inquire into the causes and circumstances that led to the suicide of Rohith Vemula established doubts over the Dalit identity of Vemula’s mother.
The report said that it was ‘improbable and unbelievable’ that she was a Dalit. However, a recorded conversation with Radhika’s foster mother, just before her death showcases a different reality. Anjani Devi, while speaking to The Sunday Express, days before her death had clearly expressed that her foster daughter was aware of her Dalit identity.
The Truth Behind Radhika Vemula's Caste Identity
Devi belonged to the Vaddera community but the labourer parents of Radhika, from whom Devi had adopted her belonged to the SC Mala caste.
Radhika had retained her real parents’ caste.
Unfortunately, Devi is not alive to clear the ongoing confusion and confrontations. She passed away on 23 February in Guntur, days after the one-man commission was set up.
According to The Sunday Express interview on 14 February, Devi had divulged in the details about Radhika’s life, how she adopted her, her caste identity and more. Devi had told the newspaper that Radhika was the second daughter of a SC Mala couple who worked as railway labourers close to her house. The couple used to leave her under a tree while they went out to labour.
Since Devi had lost a girl child herself at that time, approximately 45 years back, she decided to adopt Radhika to which her parents also consented.
Radhika decided to retain her birth caste status and her relationships with Devi changed five years after her marriage, recalled Devi in the same interview.
By then, Radhika had also separated from her ‘drunkard’ husband.
Suspicions Raised by the Committee
The one-member-committee asked how could Radhika’s foster mother reveal her caste identity when she didn’t even reveal the name of her real parents.
Radhika retaliated strongly to this accusation saying that the committee was trying to divert attention from the real issue which was to investigate the causes of Rohith’s suicide.
The committee held Rohith responsible for his suicide.
Also Read: Rohith Vemula Blamed For Suicide, Probe Says Mother Not A Dalit
Radhika Vemula Fights Back
Radhika even asked that when Rohith never opted for any quota, how does his caste gain such magnanimous prominence?
She further added that she had no reason to fake Dalit identity and has certificates to prove her caste. She also questioned the investigation or probe that according to her was not on the right track.
Raja Vemula on the Issue
Rohith’s younger brother also joined in by saying that the inquiry was an attempt to save those people who were behind Rohith’s suicide. He said that the probe was supposed to investigate the happenings in the University, the role of the faculty and Vice-Chancellor, the involvement of the administration and political interference.
Instead of delving into these crucial issues, the investigation pinned down everything to caste politics. Raja said this has been done to protect Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and Vice-Chancellor P Appa Rao from action under the SC/ST Atrocities Act.
The one-man commission probing the suicide had also concluded in its 41-page report that expelling Rohith from the hostel was the “most reasonable” decision the university could have taken among other things. The report completely put the entire blame on Rohith, questioning his caste and motives for retaining Dalit identity.
(With inputs from The Indian Express)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)