Kerala Hartal Disrupts Life Over Nithin Raj Death, Dalit Groups Demand Justice

A statewide hartal called by various Dalit organisations disrupted normal life across Kerala on Tuesday, with protests demanding justice in the death of dental student Nithin Raj .

The dawn-to-dusk shutdown, observed from 6 am to 6 pm , saw activists blocking roads and halting vehicle movement in several areas, including Kannur and the state capital Thiruvananthapuram . While two-wheelers were largely allowed , there were reports of protesters forcing shops to close in some locations.

The hartal was jointly organised by 52 Dalit groups , including the Justice for Nithin Raj Action Council , which had appealed for peaceful participation and exempted essential services.

Nithin Raj, a first-year BDS student at a private dental college in Ancharakandi, Kannur, was found critically injured after allegedly falling from a building on April 10 . He later succumbed to his injuries. His family has alleged that he faced caste- and complexion-based harassment by faculty members , leading to severe mental distress.

Following these allegations, police registered a case against two faculty members under charges of abetment of suicide and provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act .

However, supporting organisations, including the Kerala Pinnokka Samudaya Munnani , have accused the police of delaying the probe and attempting to shield the accused . They alleged that investigators were trying to divert attention towards unrelated issues such as loan app borrowings.

The groups have expressed lack of confidence in the ongoing investigation and demanded that the case be transferred to an independent agency at the earliest.