Trigger Warning: Mentions of suicide, bullying, violence
The picturesque landscapes of Wayanad, Kerala, have been tarnished by an unfathomable tragedy. The premature demise of 22-year-old veterinary student JS Siddharth has unearthed a disturbing narrative of physical and psychological torment, exposing the rot within our educational institutions and sparking an urgent outcry for accountability and transformation.
Siddharth, a promising second-year veterinary student from Thiruvananthapuram, met a fate that defies comprehension. His life was snuffed out by a relentless onslaught of savage violence, culminating in his tragic end within the confines of his hostel's bathroom on February 18.
The details that have emerged paint a chilling portrait of organized brutality and institutional apathy. Siddharth endured a barrage of physical assaults and mental anguish, including the dehumanizing act of being stripped naked and subjected to merciless beatings in front of a crowd of over 130 students. His dignity was ravaged, his spirit shattered, by the very peers who should have upheld his well-being.
What compounds this tragedy is the alleged complicity of political entities and the abject failure of leadership. Despite the egregious nature of the crime, justice languishes in the shadows, ensnared in a web of political patronage and bureaucratic inertia. Eleven suspects, including members of the Student Federation of India (SFI), roam free, shielded by the cloak of impunity while Siddharth's family and the community writhe in anguish and indignation.
The response from authorities, though belated, is marked by inadequacy and complacency. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's token gestures, including the formation of a special investigative team, fall short of addressing the systemic rot that pervades our educational institutions. It is not enough to merely investigate; concrete actions and swift apprehensions are imperative to dispel the specter of impunity that haunts our campuses.
Moreover, this tragedy lays bare the festering wounds of ragging culture and the toxic nexus between student politics and violence. The Student Federation of India (SFI), once a beacon of progressive ideals, stands accused of perpetuating a culture of fear and intimidation, where dissent is crushed and brutality reigns unchecked. Siddharth's ordeal serves as a damning indictment of a political machinery that prioritizes power over principles, impunity over accountability.
The scourge of ragging, a stain on the fabric of our educational system, reflects the erosion of empathy and humanity. It is a manifestation of institutional failure and moral bankruptcy, where the pursuit of power supersedes the sanctity of human life.
As we confront the aftermath of Siddharth's tragic saga, we are confronted with a stark choice: to remain passive bystanders or to rise in solidarity against injustice and oppression. It is incumbent upon us to demand more than hollow rhetoric and empty promises from our leaders. It is time to hold them accountable for their failures, their complicity, and their indifference to human suffering.
Siddharth's memory must not be consigned to oblivion. His legacy must serve as a catalyst for change, a rallying cry for justice and reform. Let us heed his call and work tirelessly to dismantle the structures of oppression that have claimed far too many lives.
The road ahead may be arduous, fraught with obstacles and resistance. But we owe it to Siddharth, to ourselves, to forge ahead with unwavering resolve. For in our pursuit of justice lies the promise of a future where no student lives in fear, where no life is sacrificed on the altar of power.
Albert Valuvettickal storyteller.albert@gmail.com