Published Apr 27, 2026 | 7:10 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 27, 2026 | 7:10 PM
RL Nithin Raj.
Synopsis: The protest centres on the death of 22-year-old Nithin Raj, a first-year BDS student at a dental college in Anjarakandy. He was discovered critically injured on campus earlier this month and later died on 10 April. Activist groups allege he had faced caste-based harassment and discrimination, triggering widespread anger and demands for accountability.
A coalition of Dalit and Adivasi organisations has announced a statewide hartal to be observed on Tuesday, 28 April, intensifying protests over the death of a young dental student in Kannur.
The dawn-to-dusk shutdown, scheduled from 6 am to 6 pm, has been called by the Justice for Nithin Raj Action Council along with more than 50 supporting groups. Organisers said essential services would remain unaffected and clarified that there would be no coercion of vehicles, while urging public cooperation.
The protest centres on the death of 22-year-old Nithin Raj, a first-year BDS student at a dental college in Anjarakandy.
He was discovered critically injured on campus earlier this month and later died on 10 April.
Activist groups allege he had faced caste-based harassment and discrimination, triggering widespread anger and demands for accountability.
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Among the key demands raised by the organisers are the arrest of all those deemed responsible, a court-monitored investigation, financial compensation for the victim’s family, and strict action against the institution, including cancellation of its affiliation. They have also reiterated calls for implementing safeguards such as the Rohit Vemula Act to address caste discrimination in educational institutions.
Despite the hartal call, sections of the transport and business community have indicated they will function as usual in some areas, suggesting that normal life may not be significantly disrupted everywhere.
Meanwhile, legal proceedings in the case continue. A sessions court in Thalassery recently granted bail to one of the accused while rejecting relief for another, noting concerns about excessive media scrutiny and observing insufficient grounds at this stage to invoke provisions under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The hartal is expected to add further momentum to the growing protests seeking justice in the case.
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
