KANNUR: The death of PN Shaji, a judge at the Kerala University Arts festival, has put the spotlight back on the SFI, already on the back foot after the tragic end of Pookode veterinary college student J S Sidharthan. Shaji, 51, was found dead in his home in Kannur on Wednesday evening.
The issue turned political with state Congress president K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan accusing the SFI of abetting the death, even as Higher Education Minister R Bindu blamed ‘infiltrators’ for the incident.
The family of the dance teacher alleged that there were bruises on his body suggesting he was beaten up brutally. There were reports that Shaji, who was booked in a bribery case, was beaten up in the office of the fest’s organising committee in Thiruvananthapuram before he was handed over to the police.
Shaji and two others were taken into custody last week following a complaint lodged by the fest organisers alleging that he had taken bribe to favour a team in the margamkali competition. He was released on bail and was asked to appear before the police in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.
P Lalitha, Shaji’s mother, said he was visibly upset when he reached home. “He fell on my legs and cried, saying he didn’t do anything wrong. He kept on wailing and said he was betrayed by some people. He repeatedly said he never accepted any bribe. There were bruises on his face and shoulder,” she said.
Anil Kumar, his brother, said Shaji was completely broken after the incident. “He said some people approached him to help a particular team but he didn’t oblige. People known to Shaji trapped him in the case,” Anil alleged. The family said Shaji didn’t eat anything on the day and went to his room. His family learnt of his death when they found him lying in the room in the evening. He was rushed to the nearby hospital, but could not be saved.
From his room, police recovered a suicide note. The note in Malayalam, written on the back of the paper provided to fest’s judges for writing their remarks on performances, said, “I am innocent. I didn’t take any money. This is (the) truth…truth…truth. I gave (marks) only to the eligible. My mother knows I did not do anything wrong. May God save those who are behind this.”
SFI activists confined Shaji to room, beat him up: Satheesan
Sudhakaran, who visited the bereaved family at Shaji’s home in Mele Chovva, Kannur, alleged that the SFI was responsible for the death.
“Shaji was a person of good reputation. He refused to give first prize to the team suggested by the SFI. He was beaten up by SFI workers and ended life as he couldn’t bear the insult,” Sudhakaran told reporters later.
Satheesan alleged the incident was proof the SFI was a challenge to the people of Kerala. He alleged that Shaji was confined to a room and assaulted by SFI activists. He said the incident comes weeks after the “brutal assault by SFI activists” on Sidharthan, which led to his death.
Terming Shaji’s death tragic, Higher Education Minister R Bindu, however, said it could be the handiwork of those who had ‘infiltrated’ the festival. CPM central committee member P K Sreemathy, who also visited Shaji’s house, termed Sudhakaran’s allegation immature and said there was no point in blaming the SFI. Forensic experts examined Shaji’s house and the body is currently kept at the district hospital. Cremation will be held at Payyambalam beach on Friday morning.
Protest, controversy, death
March 7: Kerala University Youth Festival begins
March 8: Protest breaks out at Thiruvathira contest venue against judgement
March 9: Bribery allegations come up; four, including margamkali judge P N Shaji, taken into custody
March 10: KSU stages protest, Mar Ivanios College principal files complaint before KU vice-chancellor
March 11: VC suspends youth festival
March 13: P N Shaji found dead at home
March 14: VC disbands university union; complaint filed seeking police probe
KU union disbanded
The SFI-controlled KU union has been disbanded in the wake of violence and bribery charges. The VC has turned down the union’s request to extend its tenure.
(With inputs from Thiruvananthapuram & Kochi)
