No more sacrificial lambs

Caste discrimination is a deep-seated social malady that has persisted for centuries. Under current laws, anyone who insults another person on the basis of caste—especially those belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories—faces immediate remand without bail. If the charges are proven, they must serve a prison sentence. The fact that public caste-based insults still occur in the modern era, even in a state like Kerala despite strict legislation, demonstrates how deeply rooted this regressive mindset remains. A person’s respectability and position in society should be earned through their character and interactions, not the caste into which they were born.

Furthermore, those who believe there is inherent greatness in caste live in a "fool's paradise." When individuals with such attitudes congregate, they often display arrogance and repulsion toward others. Often, it is envy of others' achievements and a fear of their own inadequacy that drives people to use caste as a weapon. Kerala, guided by progressive ideals, must not tolerate this behaviour in any capacity. There must be unwavering legal action and robust social protections to safeguard citizens against such abuse.

This systemic prejudice is particularly toxic in academia. Harassment targeting SC/ST students in professional colleges is often fueled by the biased belief that those who gain admission through the reservation system are undeserving. A recent tragedy at Anjarakandy Dental College in Kannur has brought shame to the entire state. It is alleged that Nithin Raj, a first-year BDS student and native of Uzhamalackal, Thiruvananthapuram, was driven to suicide after jumping from a building due to persistent caste-based abuse by senior students and certain faculty members. Nithin Raj was the son of Y.L. Rajan, a painter from the SC community. His family has since filed a formal police complaint.

Initially, there were attempts to divert the investigation toward a loan app, with claims that the family’s allegations were baseless. However, as public pressure and evidence mounted, the college authorities were forced to suspend two faculty members: Dr. M.K. Ram and Sangeetha Nambiar. According to the complaint, Nithin Raj was subjected to systematic discrimination both on and off the college campus, including verbal abuse regarding his skin colour.

Reports indicate that senior students, in an intoxicated state, subjected him to brutal ragging. Although Nithin Raj reported these incidents to the relevant authorities, they reportedly exacerbated his distress by further abusing him with casteist slurs. These allegations—that systemic institutional failure and targeted abuse drove a young man to suicide—must be investigated thoroughly, leaving no room for loopholes. If found guilty, the students and teachers involved must face maximum punitive measures, including permanent expulsion. We must ensure that no other student ever becomes a "sacrificial lamb" to the scourge of casteism on our campuses.