One survivor, five funerals: Institutional harassment continues to claim lives while accused remain untouched

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Over the last nine years, five students have lost their lives on campuses across Kerala. From Jishnu Prannoy, who died in 2017, to the recent suicide of R.L. Nithin Raj, a tragic pattern has emerged. Caste-based oppression and harassment by college authorities are the primary culprits, yet time and again, the accused seem to evade justice.

Jishnu Prannoy (January 6, 2017)

Jishnu Prannoy, a first-year engineering student at Nehru College in Pampady, Thrissur, was found hanging in his hostel. Reports alleged that college authorities had brutally assaulted him following an accusation of cheating. Although the college chairman, vice-principal, and examination invigilator were named as accused, they were widely seen as receiving institutional protection.

Shraddha Satheesh (June 2, 2023)

Shraddha Satheesh, a second-year food technology student at Amal Jyothi Engineering College in Kottayam, ended her life in her hostel. The department head and hostel warden were among those accused of her death. It is alleged that Shraddha was subjected to severe mental torture under the guise of "campus discipline."

J.S. Siddharth (February 18, 2024)

Siddharth was found hanging in a hostel toilet at the Pookode Veterinary University, the victim of brutal ragging and caste-based abuse. In the wake of the incident, the college dean and the hostel assistant warden were suspended; however, both have since returned to their positions.

Ammu Sajeev (November 15, 2024)

Ammu Sajeev, a final-year student at the SME (School of Medical Education) Nursing College in Chuttippara, Pathanamthitta, jumped to her death from her hostel. It was alleged that teachers turned a blind eye to the harassment Ammu faced from her classmates, despite her formal complaints. While the principal and a teacher were initially suspended, they were later reinstated.

Battle Won: Deepa P. Mohanan

While many stories end in tragedy, Deepa P. Mohanan’s story is one of survival through resistance. A researcher at MG University, Deepa was a victim of caste-based discrimination for a decade. Beginning her research in the Department of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in 2011, she faced systemic exclusion from her guide—a professor and centre director—alleging she was not even provided a chair to sit on.

After 10 years of being blocked from completing her Ph.D., Deepa launched an indefinite hunger strike at the university gate on October 29, 2021. After 11 days of protest, the university finally removed the accused professor from his post, allowing Deepa to successfully continue her research.