JULY 29, 2018 • THE WEEK 25Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary, on April
14, 2016. “Th ere is no truth in Raja being off ered
money by the IUML to convert to Islam,” says
Radhika. “His decision to marry her was taken
before Rohith’s death. Th e BJP leaders are mak-
ing false statements.”
According to the family, the IUML had prom-
ised to give 0 15 lakh towards the construction of
a house if the family could fi nd a plot of land. Af-
ter failing to get land, the family conveyed to the
party that they would like to purchase a fl at. After
a long wait and mediation by some activists, the
IUML handed over two cheques worth 0 5 lakh,
out of which one cheque bounced.
Th e party has conveyed that the promised
amount will be arranged and Radhika is waiting
to purchase the fl at. “Th ere were many people
who promised us many things after Rohith’s
death,” says Radhika. “We have not followed it
up with all of them. In this case, the IUML on
their own promised to help on more than one
occasion. I attended their meeting even when I
had a family emergency. I felt bad when they did
not fulfi l the promise.”
As the controversy slowly dies down, Radhika
is keeping herself busy surfi ng social media. Raja
has warned against using Facebook or Twitter as
it might be distressing to her. Having got a smart-
phone recently, she is keen to be updated about
the political situation in the country.
“Nothing much has changed after Rohith’s
death,” she says. “In fact, atrocities on dalits and
minorities have increased. Th ere is a need to
bring about change in the system.”
Radhika is now preparing for her fi rst meeting
abroad. “I will be attending a meeting in Dubai,”
she says. “I will try to speak [there] in English by
preparing my speech in Telugu script.”I will go to any part of the
country to campaign against
the BJP. It does not matter
who invites me.
—Radhika VemulaSabha elections.
“I said I will have to think about it,” says Ra-
dhika. “I neither have the money nor resources
to fi ght Modi. But, if dalit supporters and those
opposing the BJP come together and support me,
I will contest.”
According to her, many in her locality in Gun-
tur, Andhra Pradesh, know her as a tailor but are
unaware of her larger story. Elsewhere, in univer-
sities and at political events in cities like Delhi,
Mumbai and smaller towns like Una (where the
2016 dalit unrest started), she is recognised as a
crusader against the anti-dalit political regime.
Th e metamorphosis of Radhika, from a poor
woman, with limited knowledge about the
outside world, to that of an icon of the oppressed
who is in the forefront of anti-hindutva marches,
has been quick. Her dislike of the BJP followed
her son’s death.
“I will go to any part of the country to cam-
paign against the BJP. It does not matter who
invites me,” she says. “At the meeting in Bihar, I
could speak well in Hindi because I had translit-
erated it into Telugu.”
Recently, Radhika and her son Raja Vemula
sparked a controversy when they said the Indian
Union Muslim League (IUML)—part of UPA—did
not give the promised 0 15 lakh off ered to the
family (following Rohith’s death). Th e BJP then
blamed the Congress and the IUML for using
Rohith’s family for political gains, by off ering
money. Since then, posts have been circulating
on social media regarding large donations re-
ceived by the family from various sources. Some
of those who initially supported the Vemulas, too,
are distancing themselves from them now.
But, the real picture is starkly diff erent. A
phone call to Raja usually fetches a message: “I
am driving right now. I will call you back later.”
A post graduate in science, Raja is an auto driver
whose earnings support his family. He is pursu-
ing a course in law and aims to become a lawyer
fi ghting for dalit issues. “Every morning I get up
by 5am and start work after a short walk,” says
Radhika. “During festivals, I work late to make
some money to support my family. People who
think we are leading a luxurious life should know
that I have to stand in line to get even a bucket of
water. If Rohith was alive, I would have been in a
better position.”
Raja lives in a rented room, with his wife, son
and mother. His wife is a Muslim, and he and
his mother embraced Buddhism during B.R.VOICE OF THE
OPPRESSED
Radhika Vemula
and her elder
son Raja Vemula
GETTY IMAGES