The Kerala High Court on Tuesday intervened in response to widespread reports of violence and public disruption during a statewide hartal called by Dalit organizations. The court has demanded an immediate report from the State Police Chief and issued notices to the organizers of the protest.
The “dawn-to-dusk” hartal, which lasted from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, was organized by approximately 52 Dalit groups, including the Justice for Nithin Raj Action Council. The protest aimed to seek justice for Nithin Raj, a first-year BDS student at a private dental college in Kannur, who died following an alleged case of caste-based harassment.
A vacation division bench comprising Justices Basant Balaji and P. Krishna Kumar took up the matter suo motu (on its own motion) after reports surfaced of significant distress to the general public.
The bench observed that the protest had severely impacted daily life across Kerala. Specific instances highlighted included students being unable to reach centers for the Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Examination (VITEEE) and patients being obstructed while traveling to hospitals.
The High Court reiterated its established legal position that damage to public or private property during strikes is unconstitutional and illegal. The court reminded organizers that such disruptions could lead to contempt of court proceedings, as previous rulings have held protesters liable for any loss caused to the government or the public.
The strike was triggered by the death of Nithin Raj, a student at a private dental college in Ancharakandy, Kannur. Raj was found critically injured on April 10 after falling from a building and subsequently succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
His family has alleged that Raj was a victim of harassment based on his caste and complexion. Consequently, the police have registered a case against two faculty members of the dental college under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and for abetment of suicide.
While the organizing groups had initially pledged that essential services and vehicle movement would not be forcibly stopped, the reality on the ground differed. Reports from various districts indicated that activists blocked vehicles and forced shops to shut down.
The High Court has directed the State Police Chief to submit a comprehensive report by Tuesday evening detailing the incidents of violence and the specific actions taken by law enforcement to maintain order.
