Akhil Marar Addresses Student Death in Kannur and Clarifies Name Change
Akhil Marar has publicly addressed the tragic death of Nithin, a student at Anjarakkandy Dental College in Kannur, condemning the incident and sparking a conversation on caste-based discrimination in Kerala.
In a Facebook post, Marar expressed his deep anguish, stating that despite the political promises of eradicating casteism, such discrimination continues to claim lives in the state. He criticized the political establishment, questioning the effectiveness of their governance in addressing the root causes of caste-based hatred in society.
“In the land of the enlightened Malayali, in the Kerala of Pinarayi Vijayan, and in the Kannur of Communist comrades, a student has lost his life due to caste discrimination,” Marar wrote. He called for those responsible to be punished and emphasized the necessity of achieving justice for Nithin Raj. Furthermore, he proposed that the state government encourage and provide subsidies for inter-caste marriages, suggesting that the children of such unions could help dismantle the cycle of caste-based divisions in the future.
Beyond addressing the tragic incident, Marar also clarified the origins of his name, explaining why he changed it from ‘Akhil Kottathala’ to ‘Akhil Marar’ in 2020. He noted that the decision was based on numerological recommendations and insisted that his identity is defined by his actions rather than his caste.
“There is caste only in the tail of my name, not in my actions. There is no caste or religion in my work,” he asserted. Marar also hit back at critics who have labeled him a ‘savarna fascist,’ clarifying his political stance and his history of acting independently, including his past political affiliations and conflicts with local organizations. He maintained that he chooses to stand with those he believes are in the right, regardless of political pressure.