A 24-day sit-in and three-day hunger strike by Comrade Anagha Sasi, a research scholar in the Department of Environmental Studies at Malayalam University, Keralam has forced the University to accept her demands. Comrade Anagha had been protesting against caste-based abuse and harassment by teachers and others, demanding action against those responsible and accountability from the University.
Comrade Anagha continued her sit-in despite the refusal of the University authorities to address her demands, eventually beginning a hunger strike that lasted three days. The sustained protest forced the University administration to concede to the demands, marking an important victory for the struggle against caste discrimination and academic harassment.
The struggle had received continuous solidarity from the AISA Keralam Unit and CPI(ML) Liberation, with comrades actively participating in the movement alongside Comrade Anagha. AISA President Comrade Neha and AISA JNU leader and JNUSU President Comrade Aditi also visited Comrade Anagha and extended solidarity with the struggle.
The victory has been won through sustained student resistance against institutional arrogance and caste oppression. However, the legal and political struggle will continue, with the demand for accountability of those responsible for caste-based abuse remaining central. The struggle also underlines the need to root out casteism and academic harassment from educational institutions and strengthen democratic rights on campuses.
CPI(ML) Liberation extends revolutionary salutes to Comrade Anagha Sasi, the comrades of AISA and all sections of the democratic forces who stood firmly by her throughout the struggle, showing determination and courage in building student unity against casteism and academic harassment.
