Published Apr 12, 2026 | 3:12 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 12, 2026 | 3:12 PM
RL Nithin Raj.
Synopsis: The family of a BDS student who allegedly died by suicide in Kerala alleged foul play regarding the circumstances behind his death. They alleged that caste discrimination by the faculty and ragging by senior students caused his death. The college, meanwhile, constituted an interna committe to probe the incident and suspended two professors. A poilce investigation is underway.
YL Rajan and CR Latha collapsed on seeing the lifeless body of their only son, RL Nithin Raj. Rajan, a daily wage worker and Latha, an MNREGA worker, had nurtured one dream through years of hardship — to see their son in a white doctor’s coat.
Instead, they were forced to see him for the last time, wrapped in a white shroud.
Nedumangad, the small village in Thiruvananthapuram where Nithin grew up, remains in deep shock. What has emerged in the wake of his death, believed to be a suicide, has only deepened the grief and anger.
Speaking to the media, Rajan pointed to a harsh and uncomfortable truth that challenges Kerala’s image of social progress. Beneath the claims of an advanced society, he said, lies a painful reality — caste discrimination.
Once again, this tragedy has brought to the surface a disturbing question: Has casteism remained stronger than we are willing to admit in Kerala?
Nithin’s cremation will be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, 12 April. But the answers the family and society seek lie far away, inside a Dental College in Kannur, where he once nurtured his dreams and where, tragically, those dreams came to an end.
Speaking to the media, Rajan, father of Nithin, alleged that his son had been subjected to continuous harassment by college authorities. “He was mocked by teachers for his dark skin, ridiculed for our work as daily wage labourers and targeted because he belonged to a Scheduled Caste,” he said.
Nithin (19), a first-year BDS student, was found dead under suspicious circumstances on the campus of Anjarakandy Dental College in Kannur on Friday, sparking serious allegations of ragging and harassment.
Speaking to South First, Ancharakkandy police, said, “Nithin was found lying critically injured on a gravel patch between the administrative block of the medical college and the adjoining hospital premises. He was immediately rushed to the college casualty ward. According to the hospital authorities, he succumbed to his injuries at around 3.35 pm.”
The police added that they have registered a case of unnatural death under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
College authorities stated that a student noticed Nithin around 1.15 pm near the medical college block. They also maintained that no formal complaints had been raised either by him or against him before the incident.
Meanwhile, the institution has constituted an internal committee to investigate the matter and has expressed its willingness to fully cooperate with the ongoing police probe.
Dr K Ram and Dr Sangeetha.
The family of Nithin Raj strongly dismissed the possibility of suicide, raising serious allegations against senior students as well as faculty members. Speaking to the media, his parents said he had been subjected to continuous ragging and humiliation within the college.
They claimed he faced caste-based discrimination and was frequently mocked for his appearance.
His father, Rajan, alleged that the head of the department repeatedly insulted Nithin in front of his classmates and maintained a hostile attitude despite his academic performance.
According to the family, the sustained harassment caused severe psychological distress, eventually driving him to take the extreme step. They also claimed that the same department head had previously faced disciplinary action in a similar case.
Nithin’s mother said the family was initially told that he had suffered an accidental fall and was undergoing treatment in the ICU. However, when they were unable to reach him afterwards, their suspicions grew.
The parents noted that he had been in regular contact and was expected to return home that very day. Insisting that he would not have ended his life, they have demanded a fair, transparent, and thorough investigation.
College principal Dr Vinod Mony stated that action has been initiated against certain teachers as part of the ongoing probe. Following a formal complaint, the institution suspended Dr K Ram, Head of the Oral Pathology Department, and Dr Sangeetha pending inquiry.
An audio clip believed to be Nithin’s final message has surfaced, in which he describes being insulted in class, including derogatory remarks about his mother, and claims he was threatened.
He also spoke about repeated humiliation that led to an emotional breakdown.
Activist Dhanya Raman described Nithin Raj as an exceptionally bright student, noting that he secured first rank in both his Class 10 and Plus Two examinations. She highlighted that he earned a BDS seat without attending any entrance coaching, underlining his academic merit.
Condemning the alleged harassment, she called for strong public action against those responsible.
She said protests should reach the homes of the teachers accused of mocking and harassing him, asserting that those who knew of his brilliance must be held accountable.
Speaking to South First, K Baijunath, Judicial Member of the Human Rights Commission, said that the commission has initiated a suo motu case and directed the Kannur City Police Commissioner to submit a detailed report within one week.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has also called for a high-level probe into Nithin’s death.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
