BDS student death case: White coat protest erupts at Kannur dental college, HoD Dental Anatomy expelled

Kannur: Following the death of a first-year BDS student at Kannur Dental College, who was allegedly subjected to harassment by faculty members, the students from the institute have decided not to wear white coats until action is taken against the accused and justice is ensured.

On Thursday, students from all batches except those appearing for university examinations staged a protest on campus, taking out a march and holding a dharna in front of the dental college at Anjarakandy.

Also read- BDS student dies after fall in Kannur, Harassment allegations surface, 2 faculty suspended

Apart from this, the Head of the Dental Anatomy department, who was previously suspended pending enquiry after being accused of mentally harassing the student, has now been expelled from the college due to mounting demands of the students, reports Onmanorama.

Medical Dialogues had reported that the student died after falling from a college building under suspicious circumstances. While the police suspect suicide, the student’s parents have dismissed the possibility, alleging that he was murdered and had been subjected to emotional and mental harassment by faculty members. According to the family, he was pushed from the third floor of the six-storey building, but the police said the preliminary findings point to suicide.

According to police, the student was found critically injured near the medical college block after falling from the building on the afternoon of April 10. He was found lying on a stone-paved area between the administrative block and the hospital building on the campus at around 1.30 pm. Though he was rushed to the medical college and given treatment, he later succumbed to his injuries.

The family told the media that his son was emotionally and "verbally harassed" by teachers over his dark complexion and poor family background. They claimed that not only did the faculty members make racist remarks, but they also called him 'slum dog' and 'rabid dog'.

While an inquiry has been launched into the case, the institution had earlier suspended two professors - the Head of the Dental Anatomy department, and an associate professor, over allegations of mentally harassing the student.

Police have also launched a probe against faculty members after registering a case under Section 194 (unnatural death) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). An investigation is underway.

Speaking to TNIE, student representatives said even days after the incident, the college management failed to respond to their key concerns. They added that they plan to submit a detailed petition listing their demands to the administration.

The students also alleged a lack of transparency in how the institution functions, stating that they are unaware of the composition of the college management. They further claimed that the students’ union remains ineffective due to inadequate institutional support.

They stressed that the inquiry into his death must be transparent and time-bound, and said protests would continue until their demands are met. With university examinations underway, they are currently observing a silent protest.

Also read- Protests erupt after Kerala BDS student's death, HoD accused of severe harassment