A solidarity event was held at the Kerala Secretariat on Wednesday, in memory of Jishnu Pranoy, who had killed himself on January 6, over alleged torture by college authorities.
Jishnu was a student of Nehru College of Engineering and Research Centre in Thrissur and was allegedly caught cheating in a semester examination.
The event was attended by Jishnu’s parents, mother Mahija and father Ashokan, who arrived at 3:30pm.
Various organisations including SUCI (Socialist Unity Centre of India), fishermen’s federation, students of university colleges and law academy college were also present.
Representatives of Kerala Students Union (KSU) and Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) spoke at the meet.
Mahija said, ‘There should not be another Jishnu. My son’s fate should not befall anyone else. We need everybody’s support.”
Meeting with CM
Jishnu’s uncle Sreejith along with his parents later met the Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and submitted a memo with five demands:
Some of the facts of the case have allegedly been twisted and misrepresented. This needs to be probed thoroughly.
It was also alleged that evidence was destroyed in the immediate aftermath of Jishnu’s death which needs to be looked into.
Only the main accused has been arrested so far. The other accused should also be arrested.
Sub-Inspector of the local police station where the crime occurred, charged only minor offences on Krishnadas, the Chairman of the Nehru college, because of which he got bail. He should be charged with sole offence and his bail should be cancelled.
There were reports that Krishnadas brutally beat up another student of the same college just days before Jishnu’s death. This should also be investigated.
Mahija said that she was fully satisfied with the meeting and was confident that their demands will be addressed by the CM.
Pinarayi told the parents that the government will approach the SC requesting to cancel Krishnadas’ bail and the government has already taken steps in this direction.
Initially there were some media reports which claimed that the parents were unwilling to meet the Kerala CM if he visited their house. However, Jishnu’s uncle Sreejith clarified that it was a misunderstanding and that they would be really happy if the CM visits their home.
Jishnu was in fact an ardent fan of the Kerala CM and they have no issues if he visits their home, added Sreejith.