Suicide threat: New protest tool
The suicide bid by a student in the midst of a highly surcharged Law Academy agitation has raised serious concerns about a dangerous trend.
THIRUVNANTHAPURAM: The suicide bid by a student in the midst of the highly-surcharged Law Academy agitation recently has raised serious concerns about the dangerous trend which has been alien to students’ agitations in Kerala. While there have been instances of individuals climbing atop trees and buildings near the secretariat to press their demands, no such acts have taken place during student agitations. Experts say encouraging the such forms of agitation among students could have serious ramifications. Just one incident is enough to trigger a chain of suicide bids as was witnessed during the anti-Mandal agitation in 1990.
“Many of these suicide attempts are pre-planned and not spontaneous. Climbing atop a tree or carrying petrol for immolation bid have an element of planning. A highly-surcharged atmosphere can prompt a person to take the extreme step to get the demands,” said C.J. John, psychiatrist. Suicidal expression as a form of protest is emerging fast in Kerala. For a state which already has a high suicide rate, such protests could compound the problems in society. Moreover, these incidents amount to glorification of suicide and hence need to be countered by socially committed organisations.
Such dramatic and emotionally-charged incidents could also be risky for onlookers especially those who are vulnerable health-wise. Abdul Jabbar who collapsed during the Law Academy agitation was the latest instance. Many feel that the suicide bid tendencies during student agitations need to be nipped in the bud. “Let these organisations mobilise students by using all propaganda methods. But please don’t encourage students to attempt suicide,” said Dr R. Jayaprakash, child psychiatrist, SAT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. What was witnessed before the Law Academy was a competitive suicide bid.
When the activist of a particular organisation climbed on the tree, members of rival organisation poured petrol in an attempt to immolate themselves, he said. “Even if one were to believe their claim that these were meant only for demonstration, the hidden danger cannot be ignored. Moreover, such attempts will not bring any glory to the student organisations,” said Dr Jayaprakash. The AISF which was part of the action council said the suicide attempt was not part of their agitation programme. “It was an individual act. But we are not shying away from our responsibility. I was present on the spot. We appealed to the students not to attack fire force and police who were trying to rescue the youth,” said V. Vinil, state president of AISF.
He admitted that the suicide bid and the death of the onlooker had led to an early solution to the stir. “We are against suicide. There is no question of supporting such agitations,” said Vinil. The SFI suspects a conspiracy behind the suicide bid agitation. “There was a clear attempt to create a martyr for targeting the government. These incidents reminded of the Congress and BJP role during the anti-Mandal agitations when a large number of students immolated themselves,” said SFI national president V.P. Sanu.
The SFI believes that such dangerous tendencies could be curbed by mobilising students and creating awareness among them. “We will be extra vigilant from now on to check such incidents. Even if someone makes a spontaneous attempt, our effort will be to save his life,” he added. The ABVP whose activist Shinith had made the suicide bid, however, held the LDF government responsible for the incident.
“The entire incident needs to be looked at from a different perspective. It was the delay in finding a solution that created frustration and the suicide bid was only a demonstration of his feeling,” said ABVP state secretary P. Shyamraj. But he clarified that Shinith’s act of climbing atop the tree was not part of the organisation decision. He justified the protest against fire force and police which tried to rescue Shinith.
“Shinith was carrying poison. He had threatened to take the extreme step if anyone tried to reach near him. Had we not prevented the police and firemen at that time, things could have gone out of control,” the ABVP leader said. Shyamraj said his organisation was not in favour of adopting suicide bid as a form of protest. “We will create awareness among students against such tendencies,” he added. KSU state president V.S. Joy said the entire blame could not be laid on the students or the student organisation. “The government cannot shy away from its responsibility here. It should have resolved the stir immediately instead of allowing the situation to aggravate. The suicide attempt was due to frustration and so we need to address the issue properly,” he said.
The KSU leader admitted that the attack on fire force personnel who were spraying water on two persons who had poured petrol on themselves was uncalled for. Experts say that mere statements against suicide bid agitations would not have any impact. The leaders need to walk the talk. “All student organisations should state officially that they will not encourage such agitations. If they fail to do so, cases of abetment to suicide should be registered against the leaders of the organisations during whose agitations suicide bids are made,” said Dr Jayaprakash.
Many feel even the media especially TV channels need to exercise restraint and cover such events responsibly. The dramatic coverage often ends up in justifying such incidents besides encouraging fence sitters to take the extreme step. Experts say that with students' organisations sounding positive, the government could take the initiative to convene their meetings to evolve a consensus on the issue.