On Saturday, Governor of Kerala, Arif Mohammed Khan suspended the Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) at Pookode in Wayanad, M.R. Saseendranath due to alleged death by suicide of a second-year student, J.S. Siddharth on February 18, after experiencing torture, public trial, and social shaming at the campus hostel.
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, also serving as the Chancellor of the university, stated that the postmortem report indicated the student's death as a "clear case of murder, not ragging."
"In order to have a fair enquiry in this matter, I, the Chancellor of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, being the appointing authority, hereby order that Prof (Dr) M R Saseendranath, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University shall be placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending enquiry," Khan said.
In the suspension order, Khan stated that a report regarding the incident provided by the Vice Chancellor, Professor (Dr) M R Saseendranath, was "a testimony to the gross dereliction of duty on the part of the Vice Chancellor" during the events leading up to the death of JS Sidharthan.
Saseendranath was appointed as VC of the university on July 23, 2019. During the suspension period, he will be entitled to subsistence allowance and other allowances admissible as per rules, the order said.
He criticized the university authorities, highlighting their failure to address the prolonged torture over three days, which went unreported until recently. Consequently, the decision to suspend the Vice-Chancellor was made, with an inquiry into the incident ordered by the Governor.
"The lack of regard to harmonious atmosphere in the campus and indifference towards the affairs of the university under the leadership of the incumbent VC has gone to a level beyond comprehension in terms of Rule of Law, which is an ominous sign and does not augur well for the conduct of affairs in the university and for the higher education sector in the state for the times to come," the order said.
Khan stated in the suspension order that the events leading up to the student's death showed the VC was not handling university affairs "with desired sincerity, gravity and promptness as mandated in the Act/Statutes" and other pertinent rules and regulations in effect.
"His report dated February 28 reveals the VC's indifferent, negligent, and callous attitude towards his duties and responsibilities, especially in the backdrop of this unfortunate incident," the governor declared.
SFI’s dominance in University Campus
Mr. Khan, addressing reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, stated that he had asked the Kerala High Court to assign a serving judicial officer to conduct an inquiry into the "gruesome and fatal" incident reportedly carried out by Students’ Federation of India (SFI) activists at the college.
Mr. Khan emphasised that both the SFI and the proscribed Popular Front of India (PFI) activists were collaborating on college campuses throughout Kerala. He asserted that the tragic circumstances leading to Siddharth’s demise, characterized by torment, insult, physical assault, and forced starvation, were not isolated incidents. According to him, the SFI's dominance extended to campuses and hostels, where they exerted control.
Echoing this concern, the Governor remarked, "In every university, SFI has converted one hostel into the headquarters for their activities, resulting in teachers feeling apprehensive about conducting inspections.
SFI and PFI (banned Popular Front of India) are working together. I have received reports from Wayanad that some of these people involved are sympathisers of PFI". He noted that teacher organisations aligned with political parties played a subordinate role to the SFI.
The Governor highlighted that the post-mortem examination report revealed the severe extent of torture inflicted on Siddharth by the SFI. "The aggressors deprived the boy of food and water for days," Mr. Khan stated.
The Governor further said that the present state of affairs in the university necessitates an urgent exemplary action and a detailed enquiry into the matter according to the provisions of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Act 2010.
The Governor also expressed doubt regarding the police investigation into cases of abetment of suicide. He noted that while the State’s law enforcement was considered among the finest in the country, it was under the "political control" of the CPI(M).
The Incident?
JS Siddharth, a second-year student studying Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, was discovered hanging in his hostel bathroom on February 18. His parents asserted that some of his college peers informed them that he had been fatally assaulted by local SFI leaders and activists.
The victim's father rejected the notion of suicide, insisting his son was murdered. The family accused the Students Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the ruling CPI(M), of harboring the accused. They also accused university authorities of shielding them, citing the hasty removal of the body before police arrival.
The father argued that the postmortem report indicated his son sustained injuries over three days and had an empty stomach, suggesting he was severely beaten and deprived of food.
SFI refuses
However, the Students Federation of India (SFI) refuted these claims. Initially, the police registered the case as unnatural death, but later 12 students were charged with offenses including abetment of suicide, wrongful restraint, and causing harm under the IPC and Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act.
The number of accused later increased to 18, with 11 of them were arrested as of yesterday.
Congress, BJP accuse CPI(M)’s SFI
Opposition leader VD Satheesan in the state assembly V D Satheesan alleged that following Sidharthan's death, the SFI was spreading untrue narratives about him and had filed a false complaint against the student. He further accused the ruling CPI(M) of shielding the accused individuals involved in the case. He alleged that the teachers, including the dean, tried to cover up the incident.
"Despite the severe ragging and assault, the teachers, including the dean, attempted to conceal it. Are these individuals fit to be called teachers? Such individuals should not be allowed to continue teaching there under any circumstances. Suitable action should be taken against these teachers," he asserted.
He mentioned that the Congress would be organising a protest at all block level headquarters today. Additionally, an indefinite hunger strike is set to commence in Thiruvananthapuram under the leadership of KSU, Youth Congress, and Mahila Congress presidents starting Monday, the opposition leader stated in a release.
The youth wings of opposition parties staged a protest demanding action against the accused. Meanwhile, the state government assured a comprehensive investigation and pledged to take action against all involved in the incident.
Kerala Government assures affirm action against culprits
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan instructed the state police chief to establish a special investigation team to look into Siddharth's death and ordered stringent legal measures against the accused.
Law Minister P Rajeev affirmed that action would be taken against any culprits, regardless of their organisational affiliations.
Initially, the police had filed a case of unnatural death, but later upgraded it to include various offenses such as abetment of suicide, wrongful restraint, and voluntarily causing harm using dangerous weapons or means, under the IPC and the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act.
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