"They Scratched My Chest, Insulted My Dignity”—Dalit Nurse's Suicide Note Raises Alarming Questions on Casteism and Police Complicity in Rajasthan

Jodhpur – A 26-year-old Dalit woman, Kavita Chauhan, took her own life on Friday, May 2, after enduring alleged molestation, physical assault, and caste-based harassment by her neighbors, compounded by police inaction. The tragic incident, stemming from a minor dispute, has ignited protests in Jodhpur, with Kavita’s family and community demanding justice, the arrest of the accused, and the suspension of the police officer in charge.

The incident began on April 30 in Keerti Nagar’s HUDCO Quarter, where Kavita’s mother, Bindu Devi Chauhan, was washing the courtyard of their home. A few water droplets splashed onto a neighbor’s SUV, sparking a violent reaction from Shankar Lal Bishnoi, his wife, and their sons, Rajendra (alias Raj) and Vikas (alias Vicky).

The family allegedly assaulted Bindu Devi, Kavita, and her 20-year-old brother, Anand. According to the victims, the assailants clawed at Kavita’s chest and face, and Anand’s hands, in an act described as an attempt to outrage her modesty. Kavita’s suicide note explicitly mentions the caste-based humiliation and molestation she endured, stating, “These people scratched my chest with their nails, they insulted my dignity. I don’t want a life filled with casteism, untouchability, and people’s filthy gazes.”

The victims sought justice at the Mata Ka Than police station, arriving at 8:30 AM. However, they were made to wait for nine hours, only to be told by Station House Officer (SHO) Bhanwar Singh Jakhad that the server was down. The police eventually registered a case under minor charges of breach of peace, allowing the accused to be released immediately. Kavita’s family alleges that this leniency emboldened the perpetrators, who then drove their Scorpio SUV around the victims’ home, intimidating them further. The suicide note accuses the police and a local councillor, Jani Devi, of colluding with the accused, with Kavita writing, “The police supported them. Councillor Jani Devi also backed them.”

Devastated by the trauma, fear, and lack of support, Kavita, a nurse at a private hospital, hanged herself at 12:30 PM on Friday, 2 May. Her suicide note poignantly captures her despair: “It’s better to live one day like a lion than 100 days in fear… I fought for my family’s safety, but even they don’t support me. I can’t tolerate this anymore—casteism, court cases, and no job prospects.” The note highlights the caste-based discrimination she faced, pointing to the accused—Raj, Vicky, and their mother—as primary tormentors.

The Dalit community and Kavita’s family have since staged protests, surrounding the Mata Ka Than police station and blocking Bhadwasiya Road. They demand the arrest of the accused and the suspension of SHO Jakhad, vowing not to allow Kavita’s body to be moved for post-mortem until their demands are met. Demonstrators allege that the accused, belonging to an upper-caste community, were shielded due to their social status and political connections. They claim Jakhad dismissed their pleas, stating, “Nothing will happen to them, they’ll be released.” The councillor reportedly added, “They have connections at the top, settle the matter privately.”

The police have now registered a case against four individuals for abetment to suicide, with Assistant Commissioner of Police (Mandor) Nagendra Kumar assuring that arrests will be made soon. However, the community remains skeptical, citing systemic bias and police complicity in protecting the accused.

Kavita’s death has brought renewed attention to the pervasive issue of caste-based violence and institutional apathy toward marginalized communities. Her family, consisting of four sisters and a brother, is now left grappling with grief and fear, with no father to support them. The protests continue as the community seeks justice for Kavita, whose final words echo a desperate plea for dignity in a society marred by caste prejudice.