Rohith Vemula's first death anniversary was observed by Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch, along with AIDWA, DYFI, SFI, CITU, DTF​, JNM, Janasanskriti, AILU and many others​. Rohith was a student of University of Hyderabad who died last year in an institutional murder.

The meeting held at Jantar Mantar on January 17, was addressed by Subhashini Ali, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member who paid tributes to the memory of Rohith. She lamented the fact that atrocities on dalits continue unabated. She exhorted the gathering to unite against all forms of oppression - be it on dalits, adivasis, minorities or any other section of the society. Subhashini demanded that Rohith Act should be passed without any further delay so that in the future no dalit student should face what Rohith had to. 

Subhashini called his mother a role model for the way she faced the trauma and is fighting against the injustice meted out to her son.

Those who spoke on the occasion include Virender Gaur (CITU), Asha Sharma (JMS), Moloyshree Hashmi (JNM), Neelgagan (DYFI), Anil Chauhan (AILU), Nandita Narain (DUTA). Nathuprasad (DSMM) presided over the meeting.

 The meeting then culminated in a candlelight march.