Lonely Battle Of Kerala Man, Demanding Justice For His Brother Turns Into Mass Protest, Campaign Becomes Viral

The plea of Sreejith Parassala, who has been protesting in front of Kerala secretariat for two years, has touched the consciousness of Kerala. The campaign for Sreejith, #JusticeForSreejith has gone viral on social media. People from various fields have expressed solidarity with him. As a result, the government has now approached CBI once again to take over the investigation.

Thousands of people have thronged to Kerala’s capital and the lonely battle has now become a mass protest. Malayalam actors- Nivin Pauly, Tovino Thomas, Prithviraj, and Parvathy have raised their voice for Sreejith. “Most of the Malayalees including me had ignored Sreejth’s battle. I felt that I should come here. I am not part of any political party. I stand with humanity. I don’t know who committed this crime, but I hope that the court will punish them. I have a brother and I won’t bear if anyone touches him,” Tovino said on his Facebook live.

DYFI, the youth wing of CPI(M) declared that they will back Sreejith and will take up the protest.

Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran posted on his Facebook page and Twitter: “You singlehandedly represent the most valuable human faculty of modern times. One that we are fast losing and one that we have ceased to respect. The quest for the truth, the refusal to settle for the compromise that’s a lie! You may be doing this for your brother, for your family, for your self. But what you have become through the course of the last 2 years, is an embodiment of hope for a whole generation who’s forgotten the merit of peaceful protest, the eloquence of silence, the power of one. Thank you brother, for touching the collective conscience of the world around you. May you know the truth you’re seeking, may you get the justice you deserve and may you find the peace that eludes you!”.

pic.twitter.com/vwQtABUsAj

— Prithviraj Sukumaran (@PrithviOfficial) January 14, 2018

Actor Parvathy too tweeted: “Sreejith, I am with you in your fight for what’s rightfully yours. No one deserves to be kept in the dark and denied justice. Your resilience and resoluteness to honour your brother’s life is the inspiration we need. This is a rebellion that we have to do against ourselves”.

Sreejith, I am with you in your fight for what's rightfully yours. Truth. No one deserves to be kept in the dark and denied justice. Your resilience and resoluteness to honour your brother's life is the inspiration we need. #JusticeForSreejith #reachingout

— Parvathy T K (@parvatweets) January 14, 2018

Justice Narayana Kurup, Former Chairman of Police Complaints Authority on Sunday addressed the media, saying that Sreejith’s younger brother Sreejeev had died of custodial torture and police officials who have involved in the crime have tampered with evidence to make it as a suicide.

Sreejith told The Logical Indian that he was very happy with the support he got from so many people from various walks of life. “I am fighting for justice. We have now decided to move to the court and discussions are going on. I am sure justice will be meted out,” he added.

Background

It was in 2014 that Parassala police had taken Sreejeev, Sreejith’s brother into custody for mobile phone theft. He died two days later at the medical college hospital. The State Police Complaints Authority held a preliminary probe and found Parassala circle inspector Gopakumar and additional sub-inspector Philipose guilty. But the detailed police investigation could not find any shred of evidence of custodial torture.

“I don’t want to trouble anyone, all I need is justice. I still believe that my brother died in police custody. I suspect a strong conspiracy among the police officers. We got the compensation, but I want them to be punished,” Sreejith affirms.

The government ordered a CBI probe, following the allegations. But CBI, after collecting all the primary details, seems to be in a dilemma. They are not sure whether to take over the investigation or not, says Sreejith.