Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to order a high-level probe into the alleged police assault on two Malayali students in Delhi, stressing the need for accountability, student safety, and inter-state cultural respect.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding a high-level probe into an incident involving the alleged assault of two Malayali students by police personnel in Delhi. The case has triggered strong reactions from the student community and raised serious questions about the safety and rights of out-of-state students pursuing higher education in the national capital.
The alleged assault took place on September 24, 2025, at Zakir Husain Delhi College, where students I.D. Ashwanth and K. Sudhin reportedly faced physical aggression from certain police officials. Reports suggest that the students were pressured to speak in Hindi, which has drawn attention to issues of linguistic discrimination and cultural insensitivity in educational spaces.
In his letter, Chief Minister Vijayan expressed grave concern over the matter and urged the Union Home Ministry to order an impartial and comprehensive inquiry. He emphasized that strict action must be taken against any officials found guilty of misconduct. “Students from different states travel across India for academic pursuits. Their language, culture, and identity must be respected by the host communities,” Vijayan said.
He further warned that if law enforcement personnel themselves engage in such acts of harassment, it could embolden others to target students and professionals who migrate across states for education or employment. Such incidents, he said, weaken the sense of unity and inclusivity that India is known for.
The Chief Minister’s intervention comes amid widespread outrage among Malayali students and alumni networks in Delhi. Many have taken to social media to highlight their concerns, urging authorities to protect students who leave their home states in search of better academic opportunities. Student unions in Kerala and Delhi have also condemned the alleged assault, describing it as a “blot on the nation’s capital.”
The Kerala government’s letter highlights two critical aspects of the case: the accountability of the police and the protection of linguistic and cultural identity of migrant students. These concerns are not isolated but are reflective of larger debates in India about inclusivity and the treatment of people moving across states.
Experts point out that Delhi, as India’s premier hub of higher education, attracts thousands of students from Kerala and other southern states every year. The diverse student population enriches campuses but also underscores the need for sensitivity and respect across linguistic and cultural lines. Any form of harassment or discrimination, particularly by law enforcement, threatens to discourage students from pursuing opportunities in the capital.
Civil society groups have called for a transparent probe to restore trust and ensure accountability. Advocacy groups argue that fair investigations not only protect victims but also strengthen public confidence in institutions. They emphasize that failure to address such incidents can contribute to a climate of fear and mistrust among migrant communities.
The letter by CM Vijayan is also significant because it places responsibility directly on the Union Home Ministry, signaling Kerala’s expectation of justice at the highest level. This move reflects the growing role of state governments in safeguarding the rights of their students studying in other regions of India.
Over the years, the number of Kerala students migrating to Delhi has steadily risen, with many enrolling in prestigious colleges under Delhi University. Parents and families now look to both state and central governments for assurance that their children will be treated with dignity and safety while away from home.
As of now, the Union Home Ministry has not issued an official response. However, the demand for a probe and the call for accountability are expected to intensify pressure on authorities in Delhi to take concrete action.
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This incident is likely to fuel further discussions about student safety, linguistic respect, and inter-state harmony in India’s education system. For many, the hope is that this episode will become a turning point, ensuring that no student has to compromise their identity or safety while pursuing their dreams in another part of the country.
