Dalit Community Stages Protest in Rajkot Over Student's Suicide, Demands Legal Action Against Hostel Administration
Members of the Dalit community staged a significant protest at the G M Patel Girls Hostel in Rajkot, Gujarat, demanding that authorities register a formal case against the hostel administration. The protest centers on allegations of abetment to the suicide of a 17-year-old student, Hiral Hathiya, who died by hanging inside the hostel premises on March 7.
Protesters Allege Police Inaction and Harassment Claims
The protesters have accused the police of shielding those responsible by failing to initiate appropriate legal action. The victim's father has come forward with serious allegations, claiming that harassment by the hostel administration drove his daughter to take the extreme step. He has demanded strict action against those he holds accountable for this tragic incident.
Key Details of the Case:- The deceased, Hiral Hathiya, was a Class 11 student and a native of Jam Khambhaliya in Devbhoomi Dwarka district.
- She had been admitted to the G M Patel Girls Hostel just one day before the incident occurred.
- Police have currently registered the case as an accidental death, with further investigation actively underway.
Police Response and Investigation Status
A senior Jamnagar Rural police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, provided an update on the investigation. The officer stated that a postmortem has been conducted and a preliminary probe has been carried out. "No evidence has been found so far to support the allegations made by the victim's father," the officer said, highlighting the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
The protest underscores broader concerns about student safety and institutional accountability in hostel environments. As the community seeks justice, the police continue their investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding Hiral Hathiya's death.
