Gujarat Nursing College Principal and Teachers Face FIR After Dalit Student's Suicide
In a tragic incident that has sparked outrage, a 19-year-old Dalit student of a nursing college in Gujarat's Kheda district died by suicide, leading to the filing of an FIR against the institution's principal and three teachers. The student, Jay Vijaykumar Patil, was a first-year student at Dinsha Patel Nursing College in Nadiad.
Suicide Note Alleges Unfounded Blame and Harassment
Patil left behind a suicide note addressed to his mother, in which he expressed his exasperation over being falsely accused. The note stated, "I have not passed ridiculing remarks about anyone's body... madam is blaming me without proof." This poignant message highlights the mental anguish he endured before taking the extreme step at his residence on Monday.
Parents Summoned and Student Warned Prior to Incident
According to the FIR lodged by the Nadiad Rural police, Patil and his parents were summoned to the college last week. During this meeting, the teachers and the principal warned Patil about his behavior and threatened to issue a leaving certificate, effectively expelling him. The family alleges that this confrontation, where teachers "ganged up on the student," led to his depression over the following days.
Legal Action Under BNS and SC-ST Act
The accused, including Principal and teachers Dhara Madam, Prakruti Madam, Sherin Madam, and a close aide named Smit, have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for abetment to suicide and The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The investigation has been handed over to the Deputy Superintendent of Police of the SC-ST cell, as confirmed by Kheda district Superintendent of Police Vijay Patel.
Family Demands Justice Amidst Allegations of Harassment
Vijay Patil, the father of the deceased, has vehemently demanded justice for his son. He stated, "My son was harassed now and then over accusations of indiscipline. There was no complaint against him, what were they pulling him up for?" The family claims that despite no official complaint, Patil was consistently targeted, leading to his deep emotional distress.
This case underscores ongoing issues of caste-based discrimination and institutional harassment in educational settings, prompting a thorough probe by authorities to ensure accountability and justice for the victim and his family.
