Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged protests across university campuses nationwide following the tragic suicide of a student from Kerala, Siddharthan, who faced severe harassment by goons affiliated to the Students’ Federation of India (SFI). Various universities including BHU, DU, Osmania University, HCU, Rajasthan University, Annamalai University and Gujarat University staged protests demanding action against those responsible for Siddharthan’s suicide.
ABVP condemns the violence perpetrated by SFI criminals and polluting the academic environment with the severe violence and brutality. J.S. Siddharthan, a second-year student at Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, was subjected to brutal assault by SFI criminals, resulting in severe injuries and humiliation before he tragically took his own life. ABVP demands immediate action against the perpetrators and provides justice to Siddharthan and his family. Despite repeated incidents of violence and intimidation by SFI criminals, there has been a lack of concrete action by the authorities, which is unfortunate and deeply concerning.
ABVP National General Secretary, Yagywalkya Shukla, said, “ABVP condemns the Kerala government for failing to protect educational institutions from rampant violence, corruption, and hooliganism perpetrated by SFI criminals. The suicide of Siddharthan has shaken the conscience of the nation and exposed the deep-rooted problem of ragging in Kerala’s educational institutions. Students from various universities who participated in today’s protests expressed solidarity with Siddharthan’s family and condemned the Kerala government for allowing educational institutions to become a breeding grounds for leftist violence.”
ABVP National Secretary, Shravan B Raj, stated, “ABVP had demanded a thorough investigation into Siddharthan’s death through protests and hunger strikes outside the Wayanad campus and the Kerala Secretariat. Siddharthan’s parents have insisted that his death be treated as murder rather than suicide, and ABVP supports their demand of a fair and transparent investigation. It is appalling that despite clear evidence of involvement of SFI in admissions through fraudulent methods, assaults on academicians and students, disruption of university activities and incidents of ragging and violence, no decisive action has been taken till date. ABVP is committed in its opposition to leftist extremism and violence and will continue to staunchly oppose it.”