Kerala's University College student thrown out of hostel window, SFI member accused

Looks like political harmony is miles away for University College, Thiruvananthapuram. In a recent incident, Nithin Raj, a second year MA History student was brutally beaten up, allegedly by an SFI member on Wednesday night. Students say that the attacker Mahesh Kumar is a regular at the college's men's hostel, even though he'd graduated two years back. Nithin is a member of the college's newly formed KSU (NSUI's Kerala wing) unit.

"The event occurred on Wednesday night when an intoxicated Mahesh entered the hostel and started arguing with Nithin. He said that he doesn't want KSU members in the hostel and hit Nithin. He was bleeding profusely from his nose. A few students then rushed him to the hospital," says Boban PM, the college's KSU unit secretary. Nithin is now admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. Apparently, Nithin was alone in his room and Mahesh threw him out of the room's window, after beating him up.

"Even though Nithin's condition is not critical, he has a lot of internal injuries. He is also vomiting continuously," says Amal Chandra, the college's KSU Unit president. Amal adds that the KSU members were constantly under threat since the unit formation in July. Prior to that, the SFI was the only student political organisation that had its presence in the college. Following a violent incident earlier this year where an SFI member stabbed another comrade, the former SFI unit was disbanded, which then led to other student political organisations forming their units in the college.

"We were told that similar incidents will happen following the college union elections in September. Our lives are under threat," adds Amal. He also says that the KSU activists have planned for a protest at the college premises. "The hostel warden is also an ally of the SFI. We want better security inside the college and the hostels," he says.

The college's SFI unit members were not available for comment.