Kolkata Teacher and Booth Level Officer Attempts Suicide Amid Electoral Roll Revision Stress
In a distressing incident in Bagdah, North 24 Parganas, a primary school teacher and booth level officer attempted suicide by hanging himself inside the school office on Monday. The individual, identified as Sarajit Haldar, was found in critical condition and has sparked a debate over the pressures of election-related duties.
Incident Details and Rescue
Sarajit Haldar, who served as a Booth Level Officer for Pathuria Part 30 and as a teacher at Pathuria Primary School under the Bagda block, was discovered hanging from a ceiling fan around 10:15 am. A parent who arrived at the school to collect a pass certificate made the grim discovery. Haldar was immediately rescued and rushed to Bongaon Sub-Divisional Hospital, where he remains in critical condition, fighting for his life.
Family Blames Electoral Roll Revision Stress
Haldar's family has pointed to severe mental stress from the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls as the primary cause of his desperate act. A family member revealed that Haldar had expressed concerns about his well-being, often saying, "If something happens to me, please look after my son." This statement underscores the emotional turmoil he was experiencing, allegedly due to the demanding nature of his BLO responsibilities.
Conflicting Accounts and Political Reactions
The incident has drawn attention from local political figures, with conflicting narratives emerging. Dilip Bala, the school headmaster, acknowledged Haldar's role as a BLO but refrained from commenting on the exact reason behind the suicide attempt, stating, "He was working as a BLO. However, I cannot say anything about the exact reason."
Newton Bala, the Bagda west block Trinamool president, supported the family's claims, noting that Haldar appeared unable to cope with the SIR duties. "He spoke about the pressure earlier. It seems the burden of Election Commission work led him to take this step," he said, highlighting the potential systemic issues in election-related workloads.
In contrast, Bikash Ghosh, the Bongaon organisational district BJP president, offered a different perspective, attributing the attempt to personal issues. "He attempted suicide due to family discord and debt pressure," Ghosh claimed, suggesting that financial and familial struggles, rather than election duties, were the driving factors.
Ongoing Investigation and Broader Implications
Local police have launched a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the exact circumstances and motivations behind Haldar's suicide attempt. This case raises critical questions about the mental health pressures faced by individuals in dual roles, such as teachers serving as BLOs, and the need for better support systems during high-stress periods like electoral roll revisions.
The tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing mental health in professional and community settings, especially for those balancing multiple responsibilities under intense scrutiny.
