The Congress has claimed credit for the State government’s decision to seek a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Husbandry University student Sidharthan J.S. last month.
Addressing the media from the protest venue outside the Secretariat after the State presidents of Congress’s feeder organisations ended their indefinite fast, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said the party’s vehement protests had forced the government to seek an investigation by the Central agency.
Rahul Mamkootathil; Jebi Mather, MP; and Aloshious Xavier, the State presidents of Youth Congress, Kerala Pradesh Mahila Congress, and Kerala Students Union respectively have been spearheading the protest for six days, seeking a CBI inquiry.
‘Victory for justice’
Mr. Satheesan, who had written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in this regard on March 3, termed the decision a victory for justice and humanity. He added that the party would revive its agitation if the government failed to honour the promise given to Sidharthan’s family.
Accusing the CPI(M) of attempting to shield the accused in the case, the Congress leader said the Opposition would highlight the ‘atrocities’ committed by the former’s feeder units, including the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), during its election campaign for the Lok Sabha polls.
