Bharat Jodo Yatra Day 55: Rahul Gandhi walks with Rohit Vemula's mother

Congress Party Leader and MP Rahul Gandhi met Rohith Vemula's mother, Radhika Vemula as part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra on Tuesday morning.

"Rohith Vemula is and will remain a symbol of my struggle against social discrimination and injustice. By meeting Rohith's mother, the steps towards the goal of the journey gained new courage, and new strength to the mind," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Radhika Vemula took to Twitter to express solidarity with the Bharat Jodo Yatra and called upon the Indian National Congress to save Constitution from BJP-RSS assault, Justice for Rohith Vemula, pass Rohith Act, increase the representation of Dalits, oppressed sections in the higher judiciary, education for all.

Rohith Chakravarti Vemula was a PhD student at the University of Hyderabad in India. The university stopped paying Rohith's monthly stipend of 25,000 (equivalent to 32,000 or US$400 in 2020) (excluding HRA) in July 2015, with friends alleging that he was targeted for raising issues on campus under the banner of Ambedkar Students' Association (ASA), an Ambedkarite student organization. The decision was upheld on December 17th. Vemula allegedly committed suicide on January 17, 2016, after the suspension was confirmed.

Rahul Gandhi reportedly joined a 12-hour hunger strike with other University of Hyderabad students in 2016 to protest Rohit Vemula's alleged suicide.

Bharat Jodo Yatra began at Matha Temple, Shamshabad at 6 am. Rahul Gandhi met several female activists and freestyle dancers as well. The Padayatra halted at Legacy Palace, Bahadurpura at 10 am and resumed at Hussaini Alam Junction at Charminar at 4 pm.

At Charminar, the national flag will be hoisted at 4:30 pm.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will take part in the yatra on 1 November with Rahul Gandhi.