The death of J.S. Sidharthan, a 20-year-old veterinary student, in a college hostel in Wayanad, had triggered a political controversy and widespread protests in Kerala two years ago.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Kerala State Higher Education Council vice-chairperson Achuthsankar S. Nair will chair the high-level committee constituted to prepare the draft legislation of the proposed Sidharthan Anti-Ragging and Student Welfare Act and Sidharthan Student Distress App to strengthen anti-ragging measures in educational institutions in the State.
The committee, constituted by the Home Department, has been tasked with consolidating expert opinions and drafting comprehensive legislative proposals to establish emergency digital reporting, institutionalise mental health support, and enforce strict safety guidelines across school and college campuses.
Minhaj Alam, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, will serve as the convenor of the committee.
The other members of the panel include B. Ashok, Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department; Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department; K. G. Sanalkumar, Secretary, Law Department; Abdul Nasar B., Special Secretary, Social Justice Department; and Arul R. B. Krishna, District Police Chief, Thiruvananthapuram City.
Shijida Shain (Assistant Professor, University College of Engineering, Karyavattom; Kiran P.S., State Nodal Officer, State Mental Health Program; Ranjith Balan, Chief Executive Officer, Doubtbox Edutainment Pvt. Ltd.; legal expert Y. Vinod Kumar, M.J. Yadukrishnan, a public representative from Kollam have also been included in the committee.
The legislative initiative, which was announced in the revised State Budget, also comes against the backdrop of a writ petition filed by the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) that expressed severe concern over the escalating cruelty of ragging incidents in educational institutions.
While reviewing the petition, the Kerala High Court observed that despite the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act having been enacted 27 years ago, the failure to frame the necessary rules had severely weakened law enforcement capabilities. Consequently, the court directed the State government to constitute a multi-disciplinary working group to evaluate necessary amendments and draft actionable rules.
Published – July 24, 2026 03:04 pm IST
