The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday approved the launch of the 'Sidharthan Distress App', aimed at helping prevent ragging in educational institutions and enabling students to report complaints quickly.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced the decision after a Cabinet meeting, saying the government has observed a rise in ragging incidents across college campuses.
App named after veterinary student
The app is named after J S Sidharthan, a 20-year-old veterinary student from Nedumangad, who allegedly died by suicide in February 2024 after being subjected to ragging by fellow students at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Pookode, Wayanad.
The state government also plans to introduce a new anti-ragging law in Sidharthan's name. The proposal was included in the UDF's election manifesto and later announced in the revised Kerala Budget for 2026-27.
Government plans new anti-ragging law
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Satheesan said the government was moving ahead with stronger measures to curb ragging in educational institutions.
"The government has decided to introduce the Sidharthan Distress App so that complaints related to ragging can be promptly brought to the notice of the authorities concerned," the Chief Minister said.
Budget proposal
The revised Kerala Budget 2026-27, presented by the Congress-led UDF government last month, had proposed both the launch of the app and the enactment of an anti-ragging law in Sidharthan's name to strengthen student safety and curb ragging on campuses.
In his Budget speech in the Assembly, Satheesan had said, "To prevent ragging in educational institutions in Kerala, the 'Sidharthan Student Distress App' will be introduced, and an anti-ragging law in Sidharthan's name will be enacted to prevent ragging and ensure student welfare."
