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A 12-hour statewide hartal over the death of first-year BDS student Nithin Raj began at 6 am, with Dalit organisations demanding arrests in the Kannur Dental College case. The shutdown, scheduled till 6 pm, excludes essential services. Organisers promised vehicles would not be forced to stop, yet morning reports mentioned protesters blocking some buses.
Statewide Hartal Today: What's Open, What's Shut, and Key Service Disruptions Explained
The Justice for Nithin Raj Action Council and around 52 Dalit and Adivasi organisations are pressing for multiple actions. They want those linked to the death arrested, a judicially monitored probe, and Anjarakandy Dental College's affiliation cancelled. The groups also seek ₹10 crore compensation for the family and implementation of the Rohit Vemula Act in higher education.
Kerala hartal and impact on daily services
Many business bodies have chosen not to back the hartal, signalling partial normalcy in several areas. The Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi announced that member shops across the state would function. State vice-president and district president P C Jacob said the organisation does not support the shutdown, arguing the investigation appears to be progressing properly, and directed traders to keep outlets open.
Textile traders took a similar position as the Kerala Textiles and Garments Federation said its members would work as usual and not join the hartal. The federation still urged the arrest of those responsible for the death and called for firm steps to prevent such incidents. It also noted the sector is facing a downturn and cannot afford a shutdown.
Public transport faces a mixed situation. Kannur district general secretary of the Bus Operators Association, Rajkumar Karuvarath, said private buses in the district would run normally. The action council earlier announced that vehicles would not be halted by force and appealed for public cooperation. Despite this, several buses were reportedly stopped or blocked by protesters during early hours.
Kerala hartal and university examinations
Academic schedules have been directly affected. APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Cochin University of Science and Technology postponed all examinations planned for Tuesday. In a separate order dated April 24, CUSAT also deferred every examination scheduled for April 28, stating that revised dates would be announced later.
| University | Original exam date | Status |
| APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) | Tuesday | Postponed |
| Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) | Tuesday | Postponed |
| Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) | 28 April | Postponed |
Nithin Raj hartal and background to the protest
The hartal was announced on Monday by the Justice for Nithin Raj Action Council with support from about 52 Dalit and Adivasi organisations. Their call followed anger over allegations that faculty members harassed the first-year BDS student, targeting caste and complexion. The collective framed the shutdown as pressure for swift legal steps and stronger protections on campuses.
According to the action council, Nithin Raj was discovered injured on the Kannur Dental College campus on April 10 and later died from those injuries. Campaigners argue the case highlights caste-based discrimination in higher education, renewing demands to operationalise the Rohit Vemula Act. With the hartal running from 6 am to 6 pm, Kerala is witnessing protests alongside ongoing commercial activity and disrupted university exams.
