The National Human Rights Commission has stepped into the tragic case of a Class 10 student's suicide at a prominent Delhi school, issuing urgent notices to authorities and demanding a comprehensive report within ten days. The development comes as the school community grapples with the devastating loss and allegations of systemic harassment emerge.
NHRC Takes Swift Action
The NHRC bench led by Member Priyank Kanoongo has formally requested both the District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner of Police of Central Delhi to investigate serious allegations that the student took his own life due to "continuous mental harassment and discriminatory treatment" by teachers at the reputed institution in Lutyens' Delhi.
According to the official complaint received by the commission, "several teachers, including the Principal, routinely mocked, humiliated, and threatened the student." The document further reveals that former students and parents have come forward with "similar experiences of mental harassment, segregation, negative comparisons, and long-lasting trauma" from the same school.
School Response and Fallout
In the aftermath of the tragedy, St Columba's School has initiated multiple measures. The administration suspended four teachers on Thursday, while police have been actively recording statements from students over the past two days.
The school's counseling system has been activated, with staff conducting cautionary conversations with students since the day following the incident. According to a Class 10 student who was close to the deceased, the principal and other staff members visited every class to express condolences and emphasize that students should refrain from spreading rumors.
"It has been explained to them that the legal course of action is being followed, and there is no need to worry," the student revealed on Friday.
Parental Anguish and School Support Systems
Parents expressed profound grief and confusion as they tried to comprehend the tragedy. The mother of a close friend of the deceased boy recalled that he had "not been behaving like himself" for the past four or five days. She noted that he had recently shaved his head and "shrugged it off" when questioned about his unusual behavior.
Another parent, whose son was deeply affected by the incident, quoted her child saying: "Mumma, kaise kar sakta hai? Interval mein mila tha... he was so normal. (How could he do this? I met him during the interval...)" The parent added that her husband "was crying like a baby" upon hearing the news.
Meanwhile, the school's support mechanisms came under scrutiny. Parents confirmed that the institution employs four counselors, each responsible for specific class groups. One parent described it as "a support system" for children, noting that "counselors have been meeting students who approach them for help regularly."
General counseling sessions are conducted across senior classes, and teachers are instructed to flag any child showing signs of distress. The parent also mentioned that teachers sometimes express difficulty "in controlling older students, as they are energetic, growing physically and emotionally" during PTA meetings.
Broader Implications and Official Response
The tragedy has sparked wider conversations about mental health in educational institutions. Mourners continued protests outside the school gates on Friday, with mental health discussions dominating conversations among parents, students, and staff.
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood confirmed that the state government has established an investigation committee to examine the circumstances leading to the student's death. The NHRC has observed that the allegations "prima facie seem to be violations of the human rights of the victims," lending official weight to the gravity of the situation.
A former St Columba's mother reflected on how the institution has changed, noting it used to be a "chilled-out school" ten years ago. While acknowledging she couldn't speak to recent changes, she poignantly observed that "One life gone means several lives broken," capturing the ripple effect of the tragedy across the school community.
