'Jai Bheem' resonates as students demand justice for Rohith

Students from across the country today marched through the streets of Delhi raising rapturous slogans such as 'Jai Bheem' "galvanised" by the death of Dalit student Rohith Vemula, with many describing him as an "inspiration".
Students from Hyderabad University, Osmania University, under the banner of Joint Action Committee for Social Justice walked hand-in-hand with activists of the AISF, AISA and a host Dalit groups among others.
The "rainbow" composition of the protesters were also reflected in the slogans raised, which were largely against the "brahminical" social order while the Muslim marchers boldy held out banners such as "I am a Muslim and I am not a terrorist."

"There is no response from the government so we shifted our agitation to Delhi. Their brahmanical attitude where they are ignorant about Dalits," Seshaiah Chemudugunta, a close friend of Rohith said.
"He was prolific writer and had an intellectual voice, this is why his heart-wrenching suicide note is being debated in public," he added.
As the march made its way across Valimiki Mandir, Gole Market and RK Ashram Marg, people could be seen peering out of their windows while many commuters stuck in traffic expressed their annoyance.

Students from different universities from Mumbai and Delhi, with portraits of Rohith firmly pinned on their chests, also expressed solidarity with Rohith and demanded resignation of Union ministers Smriti Irani, Bandaru Dattatreya and Hyderabad University Vice Chancellor Appa Rao.

Other students also portrayed the bright side of Rohith and noted how "despite being a dalit", he never used reservation for academic benefits.
"He is an inspiration and that is why we all stand for him," Sunkanna Velpula, also a friend of Rohith, said.
A student from Mumbai, Swarna, said that the struggle would not stop until and unless Rohith gets justice and caste -system is "uprooted".
Criticising the government for "carelessly" using the term "anti-national" against students, a student said that he had travelled to Delhi because he respected the cause for which Rohith was fighting.
"We respect the cause for which he was fighting. We want government to take strict action action against the accused so that no other mother loses a son," he said.