Kerala student stabbed by SFI activists on university campus

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : University College, a Students Federation of India (SFI) bastion, once again made headlines for the wrong reasons when a third-year BA political science student was stabbed in the chest inside the campus on Friday. Incidentally, the victim and his assailants, both, belonged to the CPM's student organization.
The victim, Akhil Chandran, is currently in Medical College Hospital's intensive care unit. He was subjected to emergency surgery in the evening and his condition remains stable but critical.

Following the attack on Akhil, hundreds of students in the college rose in spontaneous protest both inside and outside the campus, demanding arrest of the attackers and an end to SFI's 'atrocities'. Soon after the attack, Akhil's attackers allegedly took shelter inside the SFI college unit's office in the campus, which is notoriously called idimuri (room for beatings). The police, repeatedly summoned, refrained from entering the campus and taking any action.
SFI unit secretary Nazeem, who became notorious for attacking policemen on duty at Palayam in the city last year, is alleged to be among the assailants. Cantonment Police have registered a case against seven students of the college based on the statement of Akhil's friend and batchmate, Ubair.
Students who witnessed the incident said that the fight started when Akhil and his friend were sitting near the SFI flag post in the campus. Some SFI members ordered the duo to move away, which Akhil refused. This led to a confrontation in which Akhil ended up getting stabbed on the chest.
Case registered against 7 SFI unit members of college
Cantonment Police eventually registered a case against seven SFI unit members of the college and 23 others who could be identified on sight, invoking section 307 of IPC, which is ‘attempt to murder’. The case was registered based on the statement of Akhil’s friend and batchmate, Ubair. The accused named in the FIR are SFI college unit president Sivaranjith, unit secretary Nazeem, Amar, Advaith, Adhin, Aromal and Ibrahim. Nazeem and Aromal were accused in a case related to assaulting traffic cops on duty at Palayam in December last year. Police are yet to record the statement of Akhil as he is in a critical state.
Students who witnessed the incident said that the fight started when Akhil and his friend were sitting near the SFI flag post in the campus. Some SFI members ordered the duo to move away, which Akhil refused. This led to a confrontation in which Akhil ended up getting stabbed on the chest. ''The latest attack was spurred by incidents that happened in the college canteen two days ago. Akhil was reprimanded by SFI activists for singing loudly'', Akhil's father Chandran K told TOI. Chandran added that Akhil was targeted by SFI activists in the college during the last academic year too. Then, he personally had to intervene and meet the CPM district secretary to solve the issue as Akhil’s family has all along been CPM supporters.
Later in the day, University College students submitted a mass petition to the college principal demanding that the SFI college unit comprising 13 members be dismissed and the culprits involved in the attack be arrested immediately. The petition was signed by over 300 students of the college.
Higher education minister K T Jaleel has sought a report from the Collegiate Education director on the incident. Deputy commissioner of police A Aditya said that a special team has been formed to track down the suspects and arrest them. The SFI district leadership has suspended Nazeem, Shivarenjith, Ibrahim, Adhvaidh and Aromal from the district committee following the incident.
According to students of University College, Akhil was not just an ordinary SFI activist – he was a member of the committee representing his department and also an ace power lifter, who represented the college at University level. He was part of the college team that won first prize in Kerala University power lifting championship last academic year.