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Governor seeks report from Kerala Univ as girl’s suicide bid sparks anger
Kerala Governor Justice (retd) P Sathasivam on Tuesday sought a report from the Kerala University Vice-Chancellor after the varsity’s alleged attempt to hush up the suicide bid of an undergraduate girl student sparked outrage. A first-year B.Sc student of the University College in the state capital had tried to commit suicide on Friday by slashing her wrist and taking overdose of painkillers inside a classroom.
Kerala Governor Justice (retd) P Sathasivam on Tuesday sought a report from the Kerala University Vice-Chancellor after the varsity’s alleged attempt to hush up the suicide bid of an undergraduate girl student sparked outrage.
A first-year B.Sc student of the University College in the state capital had tried to commit suicide on Friday by slashing her wrist and taking overdose of painkillers inside a classroom. She left a note blaming leaders of the Student Federation of India, the students’ wing of the ruling CPI(M), and the college principal for taking such an extreme step.
The girl who was rushed to a hospital in serious condition later retracted her claim and the police registered a case against her for a suicide bid triggering more anger.
There were allegations that she was forced to retract and a minister had visited her house soon after the incident came to light.
“The Governor has sought an urgent report from the Vice-Chancellor regarding the alleged harassment of the student by the college union,” said the Governor’s office. It also said that it has received a couple of petitions demanding an impartial inquiry.
In her suicide note she recounted her bitter experiences at the hands of SFI leaders. She said she was forced to take part in demonstration and rallies outside the campus. When she questioned, she said, she was threatened with dire consequences and they tried to attack her physically.
She said when she brought her plight to the college principal’s notice, he refused to intervene. She also named two SFI leaders in her complaint saying she took the extreme step when she came to know that she could not complete her studies on expected lines.
Other than SFI no other student outfit is reportedly allowed to function here, often leading to violent incidents. Though police refused to file a complaint the state human rights commission registered a case suo motu.
“I have met her. She is totally shattered. Initially she stood her ground but changed her version after the visit of minister Kadakampally Surendran to her house. It is nothing but coercion forced her to retract,” said activist Shajar Khan, also a former student of the college, saying student leaders were a law unto themselves at the college.
The AISF (All India Student Federation), student wing of the CPI, also said it was not allowed to function at the college and people who talk highly about the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi should see activities of the University College. “Once I went there to organise some students and they attacked and stripped me. I had to hide in a corner for hours together,” said a leader of the AISF.
The SFI denied the charges. “It is an attempt to denigrate one of the best institutes of the state. The victims said she resorted to such a step due to personal reasons. The SFI is open to any kind of inquiry,” said its national president V P Sanu.
