Bengaluru: The state cabinet Thursday approved the Karnataka Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Discrimination, Exclusion or Injustice) (Right to Education and Dignity) Bill, 2026, proposing strict penalties — including a Rs 10 lakh fine — on higher education institutions found guilty of harassment or caste-based discrimination.The bill, to be introduced in the monsoon session of the legislature, seeks to ensure equal access to education and prohibit discrimination against Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students across public, private and deemed universities in the state. A key provision mandates the setting up of an equity committee in every institution to adjudicate complaints of harassment or caste bias and submit reports for action. Institutions found in violation will face penalties, including the fine. The committee will be headed by an SC/ST member not below the rank of assistant professor and include six others, with at least two student members from the SC/ST community. At least 80% of the panel must be from SC/ST communities. The bill outlines a process prioritising reconciliation before a detailed inquiry is initiated. If guilt is established, institutions must provide monetary compensation and act against those responsible. It also makes clear that aggrieved individuals are free to approach courts to seek further compensation.
