Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding a high-level inquiry into the alleged assault on two Malayali students at Zakir Husain Delhi College.

The students, identified as ID Ashwanth and K Sudhin, reportedly faced physical aggression from police officers on September 24. According to reports, they were also allegedly forced to speak in Hindi, an incident that has sparked concerns over harassment faced by students pursuing higher education outside their home state.

Expressing strong concern, Vijayan urged strict action against any police personnel found guilty. “Students from different states travel across India for academic pursuits. Their language, culture, and Identity must be respected by the host communities. If police personnel engage in such acts, it could embolden other wrongdoers to harass students and residents who relocate for education or livelihood,” he said.

He warned that if police personnel engage in such acts, it could embolden others to target students and migrants seeking education or livelihood in different states. The Chief Minister stressed the need for an “impartial and comprehensive inquiry” to ensure fairness and accountability.

The incident has triggered outrage among the Malayali student community in Delhi, with calls for a transparent probe and disciplinary action against those responsible.

The Kerala government’s intervention highlights growing concerns over the treatment of out-of-state students and underscores the need for inter-state respect and sensitivity, particularly in academic environments.

IANS