“They used to threaten them when he used to raise the question against discrepancy”; Father of Dalit Student who died by suicide

Lucknow— The case of suicide of a Dalit student studying in the first year of Firozabad Medical College. The student allegedly committed suicide on last Saturday by hanging. The family of the victim Shailendra Kumar alleged that he was being harassed because of being Dalit. The recently opened college is an autonomous institute under the State government.

Sarvesh Kumar Mishra, Deputy Superintendent of Police told that a case has been registered in Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (Abetment of Suicide) against Sangeeta Aneja, Principal of the Medical College Examination Controller Gaurav Singh Bharadwaj, and 5 others including the warden. He told that his funeral was conducted after the post-mortem amidst heavy security.

Mishra told that in the report complaint has been made regarding that the examination controller used to threaten Shailendra of not letting him appear for the exam and failing him at the behest of the Principal Doctor Sangeeta Aneja. Additionaly allegations have also been made of hurling casteist slurs. District Magistrate Ravi Ranjan told that a committee has been formed that will reach Firozabad on Monday to investigate the issue.

According to Police, Shailendra Shankhwar had to appear for the examination on Saturday but when he did not reach the examination hall the staff of the medical college went to his room and found it locked from the inside. According to police, when the door was broke opened Shailendra was found hanging. He was immediately rushed to the District Hospital, where he was declared dead after some time. Later the students sat on a dharna outside the Firozabad District Hospital demanding action against Principal Sangeeta Aneja and the warden, alleging harassment.

Uday Singh Shankhwar, who makes bangles alleged that My son used to raise his voice against the discrepancies and lack of basic amenities. The College administration had threatened to fail him. He was not permitted to appear for the physiology examination that took place on Saturday. After some time he was found hanging in his hostel room.

[Story Translated by Pratikshit Singh]