A dawn-to-dusk shutdown called by Dalit and Adivasi organisations disrupted normal life across parts of Kerala on Tuesday, as protesters demanded justice in the death of BDS student Nithin Raj.
Demonstrators blocked roads, halted bus services, and forced shops to shut in districts like Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta. Sit-ins were staged at bus stands, while autorickshaws and private vehicles were stopped in several areas, leaving commuters stranded.
Protesters also tried to disrupt bank operations in some places, while allowing emergency travel only after verification, according to reports.
‘Justice For Nithin Raj’ Call Gains Support
The shutdown was backed by 52 organisations under the banner of the “Justice For Nithin Raj Action Council,” including factions of Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha.
The groups allege that the 22-year-old student’s death on April 10 at a dental college in Anjarakandy, Kannur, was the result of caste-based harassment by faculty members.
Council spokesperson Chalai Mohanan accused authorities of trying to dilute the case. “There is a deliberate attempt to hide the stark Dalit harassment angle by spreading a misleading narrative,” he said.
Allegations of ‘Institutional Murder’
Nithin Raj, a first-year dental student, had allegedly jumped from a college building after leaving the principal’s office. His family and several activists claim he faced continuous caste discrimination from faculty, calling the incident an “institutional murder.”
Police have registered cases against two faculty members, including M.K. Ram, under charges of abetment of suicide and provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
However, Mohanan alleged that police delayed action, allowing the accused time to evade arrest. He also claimed that authorities tried to weaken the case by “falsely stating” that a key आरोपी belonged to a Scheduled Caste, which would affect the applicability of the law. “The court exposed this claim and denied bail,” he said.
Loan App Angle Disputed
Police have also investigated a separate angle involving alleged harassment by instant loan apps. Three people linked to such apps were arrested from Noida.
But Nithin Raj’s family has rejected this theory. They said he had borrowed ₹15,000 for his mother’s treatment and had not defaulted, only asking for time until after exams to repay.
Activists argue that focusing on the loan issue is an attempt to divert attention from caste discrimination.
Leaders React, Probe Questioned
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the incident “deeply distressing” and said rising reports of caste discrimination in higher education were a matter of concern. “This is unacceptable for a progressive society like Kerala,” he said, promising strict action.
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan compared the case to that of Rohith Vemula, saying caste humiliation had once again led to a young life being lost.
“It is shocking that such discrimination could push a student to death in Kerala,” Satheesan said.
College Denies Allegations
The college management has denied all allegations of caste discrimination. Medical Director Adnan Siddique said the death was linked to financial stress from a loan app and not caste harassment.
He added that neither the student nor his family had filed any formal complaint regarding caste-based abuse, though some claims of inappropriate remarks by a teacher had surfaced informally.
Growing Anger Among Dalit Students
Activists say the case reflects a broader pattern of discrimination faced by marginalised students in educational institutions.
“There are thousands of Nithin Rajs in Kerala,” Mohanan said. “This protest is a message that casteism in campuses will no longer be tolerated.”
