Kollam, Kerala: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday strongly criticised the Kerala government for its failure to ensure student safety in public schools, following the tragic death of 13-year-old Mithun Manu, who was electrocuted by a live wire on his school campus.

Gandhi took to the social media platform X to express his anguish and demand urgent action.

“Six years ago, I had written to the Chief Minister of Kerala urging a comprehensive infrastructure audit of schools, after the heartbreaking death of a young girl due to a snakebite inside her classroom.

It pains me deeply that another precious life – 13-year-old Mithun Manu – has been lost to electrocution from a sagging power line within a school compound in Kollam.

I urge the Kerala Government to immediately undertake a time-bound, public audit and upgradation of all school infrastructure in the state and fix responsibility for this tragedy.

No parent should have to endure such unimaginable loss. Every child has the right to a safe learning environment,” Gandhi wrote.

The incident happened on Thursday at Thevalakkara Boys High School in Kollam district, where Mithun, a student, came into contact with a live electric wire on campus. His death has sparked widespread outrage and prompted immediate action from the state education department.

Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Friday announced that the headmistress of the school has been suspended and a show-cause notice has been issued to the school’s management. He also assured that further disciplinary measures will follow based on the investigation findings.

Later in the day, while addressing a memorial meeting in Puthuppally on the second death anniversary of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Gandhi escalated his criticism, this time targeting both the CPM and the RSS.

“I fight them in the realm of ideas and in the realm of speech. But, my biggest complaint is that they do not have feelings for the people,” Gandhi said.

“If one does not feel for the people, connect with them, or hug them, you cannot be a leader,” he added.