The tragic news coming from Pookode Veterinary College in Wayanad is an incident that is extremely alarming to the parents who send their children to colleges hoping for a bright future. The death of JS Siddharth, a second-year BVSC student there, once again points to the inhumane and lawless acts taking place on our campuses every now and then. It has been revealed that Siddharth's life came to an end due to a routine incident during Valentine's program by a group including senior officials of the student body governing the college. The torture that the young man had to face continuously in the court in the middle of the hostel buildings is coming to light one by one. No one is saying that Siddharth did anything extreme enough to take a beating naked in the middle of hollering students.

Siddharth was very popular among his classmates. Apart from studies, he also excelled in the arts. Siddharth's body was found hanging in the washroom of the hostel on the 18th by his classmates. The police concluded that Siddharth, who was very weak due to continuous torture and physical abuse for three days, committed suicide. However, it is believed that he chose the path of suicide due to brutal ragging, beatings and continuous threats by the SFI members. The parents believe that it was not suicide, but that he was beaten and his body was left hanging. It is hoped that the special investigation team formed on the instructions of the Chief Minister will find out the truth. Eight persons, including SFI officials of the college, have already been arrested in connection with the incident. Akhil, a PG student who led the mob trial and thrashing of Siddharth, is also among these.

It is said that even though Siddharth was lying in the hostel room in a very weak state due to the continuous beatings he had to face for three days, neither the college dean in charge of the hostel nor anyone else responsible knew about it. Many people came to know about what happened, only after his death. According to the directions of the Supreme Court and UGC, there should be an anti-ragging cell in every college. Pookode Veterinary College is also thought to have such a concept. This committee had convened after Siddharth's death. The interesting thing is that the person who represented SFI in the committee was also included in the mob trial of Siddharth.

Campus killings are nothing alien to Kerala. Every time there is a death, there will be protests and superficial actions. Except for the parents and relatives of the dead child, everyone else will forget it. Only parents will live the rest of their lives with a broken heart and lifelong tears at the sudden loss of their children.

Siddharth's house is now flooded with leaders. It's not good for anything other than being a usual ritual after death. What should be developed in colleges is love, brotherhood and good behaviour towards fellow beings. It is shocking and self-deprecating to know that the student movement, which carries high ideals as its slogan, is the one that ventured into these heinous acts. It is time for them to think for themselves whether taking the life of their classmate should be a method to grow their organisation on campus.