Rights panel seeks report on Nithin death

Thiruvananthapuram: The state human rights commission has directed the Kannur city police commissioner to submit a report within a week on the death of R L Nithin Raj, a first-year BDS student at Kannur Dental College who allegedly died by suicide after facing harassment from teachers.Judicial member K Baijunath issued the directive, citing the serious allegations raised by the family regarding caste-based abuse and institutional inaction at the college. Opposition Leader V D Satheesan, who visited Nithin's residence, said teachers who make casteist remarks have no right to continue in service. He called for a law to prevent caste-based insults against students, pointing to the UDF's manifesto pledge to introduce legislation in Rohith Vemula's name. "The relevance of such a law becomes clear when you see how many students face casteist insults," he said. Satheesan also drew parallels with the death of JS Siddharthan at Pookode Veterinary College. "In Siddharthan's case, the govt protected the real culprits instead of acting against them. He was humiliated in front of 150 people, and justice was never delivered. Strict action must be taken this time," he said. Congress working committee member Ramesh Chennithala demanded a high-level investigation. "The govt must take seriously the family's claim that caste-based insults drove Nithin to his death. Suspending two teachers cannot be the end of this matter," he said. Chennithala alleged that Nithin had faced cruel ragging alongside caste and colour-based abuse and that complaints to teachers and department heads had gone unheeded. He also alleged that attacks against scheduled caste communities had risen during the past 10 years of CPM rule. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the incident cannot be dismissed as merely a suicide. "A high-level investigation is essential to ensure justice for Nithin's family," he said, warning that BJP would lead a public protest if the police and govt continued to shield those responsible. He also called on the govt to provide adequate compensation to the family. The Pinarayi govt that speaks loudly about renaissance is turning a blind eye to atrocities faced by backward communities, he said, and cited the Pookode case as an example of the govt's failure to act impartially.
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