Kannur, April 13: The death of BDS student Nitin Raj at Ancharakandi Dental College in Kannur, Kerala, has sparked widespread outrage across the state. Following this incident, significant protests have erupted, leading to multiple levels of investigation and serious allegations of long-term harassment against the faculty.
Nitin’s classmates have leveled serious accusations against the department head, Dr. M.K. Ram. They claim he regularly engaged in bullying, body shaming, and both mental and physical abuse. According to students, the circumstances leading up to Nitin’s death were extremely harsh, involving bizarre punitive practices that deeply affected students both mentally and physically.
Students have outright rejected initial reports suggesting that loan app pressures led to suicide, arguing that this narrative was fabricated to protect the college administration and the accused faculty members.
Allegations indicate that Dr. Ram used his control over internal grading and viva assessments to silence students, threatening them with failure. Students reported being publicly humiliated, even in front of their parents, and incidents of physical assault and degrading punishments have also been reported.
In response to the incident, students have boycotted classes and are demanding immediate action. Workers from the KSU and MSF marched to the college, forcibly entered the campus, and staged a protest, leading to their removal and arrests by police.
Protesters insist that no accused teacher, regardless of any communal comments made, should escape accountability.
Meanwhile, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has also raised the issue, submitting a complaint to the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Durgadas Uike, and the National Medical Commission. The organization has called for a transparent and thorough investigation, urging strict action against those found guilty.
The complaint alleges that Nitin, a first-year student from Thiruvananthapuram, committed suicide due to alleged ethnic and racial discrimination and brutal treatment from the faculty.
On a national level, based on a complaint from BJP leader P. Shyamraj, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes has also ordered an investigation, requesting a report from the state’s Director General of Police within five days.
Kerala’s Education Minister V. Shivan Kutty has assured Nitin’s family of the government’s support. He stated that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and the family will receive all possible assistance, including arrangements for a meeting with the Chief Minister.
The police have registered two FIRs in this case: one concerning unnatural death and another against a loan app. However, questions surrounding the second FIR have complicated matters further.
Police are currently recording statements from students and faculty, while the suspended teacher named in the case is reported to be on the run, facing the possibility of arrest under non-bailable charges.
As more students come forward, the demand for accountability and a high-level investigation continues to grow.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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