The Government of Kerala (GoK) has issued an order for a CBI inquiry into the alleged lynching of Siddarthan, a student at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University in Pokode, Wayanad district. The decision was made following a meeting between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the family members of the deceased, Jayaprakash, and Shibu, his father and maternal uncle, respectively.
The order for a CBI inquiry was issued on March 9, providing a semblance of solace to Siddarthan’s grieving family. Jayaprakash and Shibu expressed hope that the CBI investigation would bring justice to the late Siddarth.
The Kerala government’s decision comes in response to mounting pressure and criticism over its perceived lukewarm response to the incident. Governor Arif Mohammed Khan had visited Siddarthan’s family immediately after the incident gained public attention and reportedly sent a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on March 8, insisting on a CBI inquiry. Notably, a significant number of the arrested accused in the case are associated with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI).
The political landscape in Kerala is also charged due to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with Pinarayi Vijayan expressing concerns about potential challenges from the BJP and the Opposition during the polls.
Opposition political parties, along with various student and youth organisations, intensified protests demanding stringent actions against the culprits. Union Minister V. Muraleedhran visited the bereaved family and conducted a hunger strike in Siddarthan’s hometown. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organized protests at the Veterinary University in Wayanad and the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. In a poignant demonstration, the ABVP organized a Torch March from Siddarthan’s house to the Secretariat, covering a distance of 29 kilometers.
There are unconfirmed reports that the Anti-Ragging Squad has notified the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Siddarthan’s brutal lynching, adding another layer of complexity to the evolving situation.
Dissent is emerging from within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), an LDF constituent, emphasising the need to prevent similar incidents on Kerala campuses. The RJD has called for stringent measures against the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) to avert future tragedies.
Criticism of the GoK’s handling of the incident has been growing, with accusations of slow response and lack of arrests until public outrage erupted. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan remained silent on the shocking incident and did not visit the bereaved family. The first meeting between the Chief Minister and Siddardh’s family occurred on March 9, when they visited his offices. Siddarthan’s home is located in the same capital district of Thiruvananthapuram where the Chief Minister’s office and residence are situated.
Concerns have been raised about the charge sheet’s alleged omission of the conspiracy and IPC 307 (attempt to murder), as well as contradictions in the Remand Report. A GoK press release asserted the flawless nature of the police inquiry until then.
J. Chinchurani, Kerala’s state minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Milk Co-operatives, Zoos, and Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, expressed dissatisfaction with the suspension of the VC, citing lack of departmental communication and deeming it unacceptable.
Siddarthan’s family, Jayaprakash, and Shibu expressed gratitude to the Governor, political parties, and the media for their sympathetic support during their period of bereavement.
