Thiruvananthapuram: The dying declaration of Venugopalan Nair, who immolated himself in front of Secretariat on Thursday, had made no mention about the Sabarimala women entry issue in his dying declaration.
This has caused major embarrassment to the BJP had called for a state-wide hartal on Friday claiming that he took the extreme step owing to agony over Sabarimala women entry issue.
A native of Anchumukku at Muttada near Peroorkada here, Nair, 49, set himself on fire near the venue of BJP leader C K Padmanabhan's indefInite stir by around 1.30 a.m. on Thursday. He died at Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital in the afternoon.
According to the dying declaration recorded by a magistrate, Nair said he hated society. “I hate society. It is due to the deeds of some people I set myself on fire after pouring petrol. Please don't disturb. I have nothing to say.”
Thiruvananthapuram judicial first class magistrate court- III recorded the statement at the Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital. Dr Soumya Soman of the general surgery department certified that the patient was conscious and oriented while giving the statement. The statement was recorded at 11.20 a.m. and it was also read out to Venugopalan.
Nair said 'no' thrice to a question whether he did the act under pressure from anyone. He also said that he had not complained against anyone and he did not even suspect anyone. He also said that he committed the act in front of the secretariat.
Meanwhile, some BJP leaders alleged that there could be chances of manipulation in the statements. They pointed out that the victim's brother on Thursday night said that Nair’s statement was not recorded.
The BJP leaders also claimed that Nair was chanting Ayyappa mantras even while running towards the venue of BJP’s indefinite hunger strike in front of the Secretariat.
The body of Nair was placed at the BJP’s hunger strike venue on Friday before being taken for cremation.
