The Kerala High Court on Tuesday quashed the criminal proceedings initiated against a law student who had been charged with disrespecting a statue of Mahatma Gandhi on his college campus in Aluva in 2023.He had allegedly placed a pair of sunglasses and a Christmas wreath on the statue and added that ‘Gandhi is long dead’. A video recording of this was also posted in WhatsApp groups of students, following which a complaint was lodged with the Principal. Subsequently, a criminal case was registered, and he was suspended from college for five days and directed to remit ₹5,000 as fine.Allowing the student’s petition to quash the case, a Bench of Justice V.G. Arun said that the alleged act was undoubtedly immoral. But it cannot be termed as illegal in the absence of any law that prohibited such conduct or prescribed punishment for such conduct. The court said that every Indian citizen had the moral duty to respect freedom fighters who played a crucial role in liberating the country from colonial rule.It hastened to add that “Our transition from ‘native Indian subjects’ to ‘proud Indian citizens’ wouldn’t have been possible, but for the untiring and selfless crusade led by Mahatma Gandhi and other national leaders. To borrow the words of Will Durant, an American historian, not since Buddha has India so revered any man. Not since St. Francis of Assissi has any life known to history been so marked by gentleness, disinterestedness, simplicity of soul, and forgiveness of enemies. The preface became essential as this case is about a youngster, then a law student, who is facing prosecution on the allegation of having denigrated the image of Mahatma Gandhi,” the court said.Published - August 06, 2025 12:29 am IST