Certain institutions that feted Siddique Kappan, an accused in the Hathras terrorism case, have reportedly come under the central agencies’ scanner. After spending 846 days in the Lucknow jail in the Hathras riot conspiracy case, Kappan returned to Kerala. The terror suspect was granted conditional bail in September 2022. Kappan has since become active in the activities of a particular group in various ways.

WMO Arts and Science College management in Kalpetta, Wayanad, recently honored the Popular Front of India (PFI) activist. Kappan is an accused in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and both the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have filed charges against him.

Sources informed that the central intelligence agencies have already received multiple complaints. It was reported that these agencies have initiated an investigation against the College.

WMO Arts & Science College is a higher education institution in Kalpetta, Wayanad. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council  (NAAC) has accredited the College. As per their website, WMO Arts and Science College, established in 1995 by Wayanad Muslim Orphanage, is an institute run by the Muslim minority community. Will the lose its accreditation but will gain a chance at victimhood? 

On the 19th, Kappan was honored as the chief guest at the magazine release ceremony of the private college in Kalpetta. Does Kappan have the freedom to participate in the receptions? His admirers need to know what is in his criminal record and the position of the NIA.

Kappan is accused of plotting to instigate disturbances over the controversial Hathras case in Uttar Pradesh, where an SC (Scheduled Caste) Valmiki girl allegedly in a relationship with a GC (General Category) Thakur boy was strangled to death. Later, rape charges were leveled at the boy and his relatives. In March, a special court in Hathras convicted one person and acquitted three others of all charges in the 2020 Hathras rape and murder case.

What kind of message are the organizers of such programs sending to the students by cloaking Kappan in martyrdom and bravery? Kappan has not been acquitted. Such organizations should not forget that the terror suspect was charged as the accused and was released from jail only on bail.

It is illegal and punishable to give a platform to those who belong to banned organizations and to give reception to those involved in terrorism cases. Giving platforms, honoring, and approving the people on the list of terrorists who got bail in the terrorism case is illegal and gives a wrong message. By encouraging such shady characters, the radical ideas raised by such people also get recognition. The reception given to Kappan, the Hathras terror attack conspiracy case accused, should be viewed through this perspective.

There are several co-accused in the case, of which many were arrested. Kappan’s co-accused PFI terror suspects involved in the Hathras case are still in jail in lawsuits filed by ED.

KP Kamal from Malappuram, Anshad Badruddin from Pandalam, Pathanamthitta, and Firoz Khan from Vadakara, Kozhikode, are still in Lucknow jail. Badruddin is a martial arts trainer and was Kappan’s Delhi roommate. Khan is an expert bomb maker. The duo were arrested from a train while transporting explosives. Kamal, a PFI Hit Squad Commander, allegedly arranged funds and sent fake journalist Siddique Kappan to Hathras.

Reportedly, the Intelligence Bureau and NIA agencies closely monitor the secret activities of the banned organizations PFI and Campus Front of India. The investigation agencies believe that the college management’s publicly honoring Kappan, who worked in the banned organization, is a sufficient reason even to cancel the recognition of the college. The college is affiliated with the University of Calicut and is recognized by the Union Ministry of Education.

The Wayanad Muslim Orphanage Association owns the institution, registered under the Charitable Societies Act. Apart from the college, the society runs several educational and commercial institutions. Central agencies are checking the financial foreign aid component of the controversial Islamist organization.