In a response to the brutal murder of student activist Abhimanyu in Kochi, the Central Executive Committee of the Students Federation of India, which he was a member of, has called for a nation wide protest.
SFI, which is the student wing of the ruling CPI (M) has called for all classes to be shut across college campuses in Kerala to protest against the political murder allegedly by the Campus Front of India (PFI's students wing). A statement by Sachin Dev, Secretary of SFI state committee, made the call for protest.
"We will hold a protest meeting in all district centres on Monday to project the political violence of Campus Front. There was a peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the Manarajas' campus which they distorted. They deliberately created issues for that. SFI would hold meetings in all campuses in all' districts to explain the violence of politics. Also we will hold protest meeting in all district centres. SFI has called for shut down of classes in all campuses" Sachin told TNM.
In a post on SFI's official Facebook page, the student group condemned the NDF for the political violence unleashed by its student wing and confirmed the nation wide protest against the gruesome incident.
"SFI activists had been attacked and killed by the same force in Kerala earlier also. We appeal all the secular forces to condemn this dastardly killing of an innocent student leader by the NDF and Campus Front and isolate these murderers from the society. The gruesome plannings to turn campuses into killing zones must be resisted. SFI salutes the supreme sacrifice of our beloved and brave Comrade, Abhimanyu and pledges to carry his struggles forward. We demand a speedy enquiry and maximum punishment to the murderers of this young mind. The CEC of SFI calls upon all its units to observe national protest day condemning the killing of Comrade Abhimanyu," the post read.
The clash allegedly occurred over sticking posters to welcome first year college students whose classes were set to begin on Monday. However, following the incident the college has declared 7 days leave.
Finance Minister Thomas Isaac took to social media to condole the death of the student activist. Following the murder, the CPI (M) unit in Vattavada, Idukki, from where Abhimanyu hailed has called for a hartal.
The 20-year-old BSc Chemistry student, was killed when SFI students and Campus Front of India (Student Wing of PFI) workers allegedly clashed inside the campus on Sunday. A native of Marayoor in Idukki, Abhimanyu was stabbed on late Sunday night.
According to reports, the incident was triggered by an argument over sticking posters within the campus by the two groups. Abhimanyu was painting the walls of the campus to welcome the new batch of students whose classes were to begin on Monday. However, college staff has said that following this incident, the dates will be postponed. An official announcement will be made soon.
Another student of the college, 19-year-old Arjun who studies BSc Philosophy, also sustained severe injuries. He has been admitted to the Ernakukulam Medical Trust Hospital in the city and had to undergo an emergency surgery.
According to CPI (M) MLA M Swaraj, trained criminals from neighbouring districts are responsible for the murder.
“We have learnt that only one or two involved in the attack are students. The rest are trained henchmen," he told TNM.