Bengaluru: A 13-year-old Class 7 student is battling for his life after allegedly attempting suicide following physical punishment and alleged mental harassment by a teacher at a private school in west Bengaluru.The student, a resident of Chikkabasti who studies at a private school in Mariyappanapalya, Jnanabharathi, is undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital in Nayandahalli. According to his family, he is critical.This is the second such incident reported in the city within a week. Earlier, a 13-year-old Class 8 girl died by suicide in Anekal, leaving behind a handwritten note in which she allegedly accused her school teachers of severe harassment.In the latest case, the boy was allegedly involved in a quarrel with another student at school, according to his family. They claimed that a teacher scolded and physically assaulted him. As punishment, he was allegedly made to stand outside the classroom for the entire day, leaving him humiliated and emotionally distressed.The boy’s father alleged that the school instructed his son to return the following day accompanied by his parents. The family believes this directive further heightened his anxiety and emotional distress.After returning home from school in the evening along with his elder brother, who studies in another school, the boy allegedly attempted suicide by hanging himself. His brother found him hanging and immediately ran to his uncle’s house nearby. With the help of his teenage cousins and neighbours, the boy was rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital.In his complaint to police, the boy’s father, who runs a grocery shop, alleged that his son was assaulted Tuesday by the school’s co-founder-secretary Rangaswamy, the principal, and two or three teachers over an issue at the school, leaving him injured. He claimed that the physical pain and fear drove his son to allegedly attempt suicide later that evening.The father alleged that his son had repeatedly complained of harassment by teachers, the school management, and the parents of other students, and had expressed a desire to leave the school. He said he had assured his son that he would be admitted to another school after completing Class 7.Caste-based abuse against RTE student?“My son attempted to end his life soon after returning from school around 4.45 pm. Initially, we didn’t know what had happened. When my wife, who was at work, called the teacher to enquire, they did not respond properly. It was only after she informed them that our son was in critical condition that they disclosed he had been punished following a quarrel with another student,” the boy’s father told TOI.“The same night, the teachers and school management visited the hospital and assured us they would bear the treatment expenses. My son had told my younger brother that he was subjected to caste-based abuse because he was an RTE student, but he never shared this with me,” he added.A senior police officer said the father’s complaint does not mention caste-based abuse or any allegation that the boy was targeted for being an RTE student.“The case has been registered under the Juvenile Justice Act and Sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 118 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the BNS at Jnanabharathi police station. Notices will be issued to the accused shortly, and further action will be taken,” the officer said.School denies caste bias, says boy was reprimanded after fightThe boy was involved in a physical altercation with a classmate Tuesday during the transition between two periods, when no teacher was present in the classroom. He accused the other student of stealing his project and allegedly assaulted him, causing the classmate’s braces to come off. Students who witnessed the incident said he appeared unable to stop during the altercation. When the teacher entered the classroom, she reprimanded the boy and asked him to return to school the following day with his parents. He had reportedly told his friends that he was afraid of his strict parents. Apart from this incident, no one targeted him because of his caste or RTE status. The matter is under review, and we are fully cooperating with police. Our immediate concern is the safety of our children, and we hope the boy recovers soon, the school management said.BOXIf you are having suicidal thoughts or are in need of emotional support, call the suicide prevention helplines: Tele-MANAS: 14416 or 1800-891-4416, SAHAI Helpline: 080-25497777.
