Rohith Vemula's brother, mother to embrace Buddhism in Mumbai today

Mumbai: The mother and brother of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula, who committed suicide at Hyderabad Central University in January, will be embracing Buddhism on Thursday.

Notably, today is the 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Dalit icon and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.

According to Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar, who is a former MP, Rohith's mother and brother will be given "deeksha" by Buddhist monks.

The ceremony will be held at noon at Ambedkar Bhavan in Dadar here, he said.

"We have organised the deeksha ceremony as the family approached us," he added.

When contacted, Rohith's younger brother Raja Vemula said "it is true that we are going to embrace Buddhism. We are on the way to Mumbai."

Rohith Vemula's suicide created firestorm across the country.