Kannur, April 10: A first-year BDS student allegedly driven by caste abuse, colour discrimination and sustained harassment died by suicide after jumping from the fifth floor of a dental college building in Anjarakkandi, Kannur district, triggering outrage and demands for a comprehensive probe. Serious allegations have emerged against faculty members and seniors, even as police deny claims of financial distress as a cause.
Jitin Raj, a First-year BDS student of a Dental College in Anjarakkandi, Kannur district, committed suicide on April 10 by jumping from the fifth floor of the college building. It is alleged that some professors had called him by his caste name and insulted him by pointing out his skin colour.
Consequently, Dr M.K. Ram, Head of the Dental Anatomy Department, and Dr Sangeeta, Associate Professor, have reportedly been suspended from the college.
Jitin Raj belonged to Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram district. He is the son of an ordinary building painter, Rajan, and Lata. The poor family lives in a rented house.
Jitin’s family alleged that he suffered severe mental torture from the college alleging that the Head of the Department called him a ‘nasty dog’. He was insulted by pointing out his skin colour.
Family members further accuse that another reason for his suicide is the inhuman ragging he suffered at the hands of senior students.
Jitin Raj was expected to reach home on April 12 and remained in touch with his family until 3 pm on April 11. His parents insist that he would not have taken his own life and suspect that he may have been pushed.
The family alleged that the HoD did not like him, despite him being the topper in the department. Rajan, the boy’s father, said that the HoD used to insult his son in front of other students, referring to him as a ‘nasty dog’. Following these allegations, the Principal, Dr Vinodmoni, suspended both faculty members.
Jitin’s close relatives reached the Kannur police station on April 11 and alleged that hostel warden Kamal had been harassing him. They also accused the college authorities of attempting to derail the enquiry into the incident.
According to the family, the college tried to spread false claims that Jitin was trapped in a loan app, suggesting it as a reason for the suicide.
However, Police Circle Inspector Fakhrudheen reportedly stated that no evidence of any loan trap was found in Jitin’s room, and no financial transactions were detected on his mobile phone so far.
Meanwhile, “Janam” Malayalam TV channel aired a voice message sent by Jitin Raj to his friends, in which he stated that he had been subjected to caste and colour discrimination by professors, who allegedly called him a ‘nasty dog’ in front of other students. He also said that his mother was insulted by references to her illness. In the message, he repeatedly maintained that he was studious and attentive in class, yet was made to endure continuous insults and abuse.
ABVP national executive member Kalyani Chandran said that caste discrimination and colour discrimination by professors and teachers are unacceptable. ABVP demanded a comprehensive enquiry into the suicide of Jitin Raj. The guilty should be brought before the law.
The ABVP leader stated that Jitin resorted to suicide due to harassment at the hands of his professors. They insulted his parents as well.
The ABVP leader further stated that such incidents take place in Keralam despite claims of 100% literacy, and this is a serious matter. Educational institutions and the education department have failed to examine such undesirable trends and find solutions. It is deeply deplorable.
BJP Scheduled Castes Morcha state president Shajumon Vattekkat asked the Kerala State government to take stringent action against those responsible for the death of Jitin Raj. A case should be registered against them for murder and under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Critics argue that the incident of insulting a student by calling him by his caste name is an insult to the culture of Keralam.
Due to a lack of accountability, several professional colleges in Keralam are witnessing atrocities and caste-based insults against Scheduled Caste students. The education department has failed to take any action to curb this.
Jitin Raj’s death occurred in the home district of the Chief Minister, who claims to have ushered in a renaissance in the state, yet has not come forward to denounce the incident. The silence of Keralam’s Scheduled Caste organisations and caste-centric leaders, despite the suicide of a Scheduled Caste student allegedly driven by caste and colour discrimination, is deeply shameful.
