Death of a man who judged Kerala university dance competition triggers political furore

The police reportedly recovered a suicide note from the room where Shaji was found dead.

In it, Shaji purportedly claimed that he was innocent and that he had not received any money for changing the results. He added that he had given marks only to those who deserved it.

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The allegations

It was last Saturday, 9 March, when the Cantonment police took four people into custody including one of the judges of the Margamkali competition, acting upon a complaint from the university union.

The controversy led to the cancellation of first the competition and then the entire youth festival due to students’ groups clashing at the event venue.

Those who were accused of taking the bribe were Shaji, trainer Jomet, and two others — Sooraj and Sonu Sreekumar — who allegedly played the role of mediators.

The Cantonment police were said to have asked Shaji and the other accused to be present at the station on Thursday for another round of questioning.

The other accused in the case on Thursday approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail.

According to them, the charges were politically motivated and fabricated.

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War of words

Shaji’s death led to a firestorm of words, with the first blow coming from his family, who targeted the organisers of the fest.

Shaji’s mother and brother told reporters that he was depressed over the arrest, and recounted that he cried and swore to them that he was framed by someone.

“I talked to him. He said he was innocent. Many approached him to influence the competition and he received messages in that direction. But he never responded,” said Shaji’s brother.

The family demanded a comprehensive probe into the incident.

The Congress-led Opposition picked this up and trained its gun at the CPI(M) and its students wing, the SFI.

It alleged that Shaji was assaulted and harassed, which prompted him to end his life.

Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan and KPCC president K Sudhakaran attacked the SFI over the incident.

“A man who was invited to judge a competition in the Kerala University Youth Festival was assaulted and insulted. He was heartbroken and committed suicide,” alleged Satheesan.

He added, “There are various incidents in which the SFI has been accused of violence. But these criminals are under the protection of Chief Minister Pinararyi Vijayan.”

Earlier in the day, Sudhakaran visited the house of Shaji in Kannur and alleged that the SFI was responsible for his death.

Also Read: Suicide in Kerala college hostel pits students against administration

The government response

Meanwhile, Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu said that it seemed certain individuals infiltrated the festival and incited trouble.

She added that such incidents are aimed at tarnishing the image of the state’s higher education sector.

“The death was unfortunate. It seems like some people infiltrated the festival and caused trouble,” said Bindu.

The minister added, “The real picture will emerge after the police investigation. Nowadays, there are attempts to create issues on campuses.”

(Edited by Arkadev Ghoshal)