Editor,
The death of the 17-year-old girl at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Jail Road, highlights systemic failures in student welfare, school vigilance, and ethical responsibilities. While the principal and authorities maintain that procedures were followed, the reality is that multiple lapses contributed to this avoidable loss.
The fact that the classroom where she was found remained unlocked, even after exams were shifted to a separate hall, reflects poor security measures. Had the school ensured all empty classrooms were locked on time, the girl might not have had the opportunity to take such an extreme step. The presence of CCTV in the examination hall but not in classrooms further underlines the lack of comprehensive monitoring in the institution.
Additionally, the lack of professional, full-time counsellors in a school with students from vulnerable backgrounds is alarming. The school authorities admitted to engaging a counsellor, but this is insufficient. A permanent, accessible mental health support system should have been in place, particularly for students who, like the victim, showed signs of social withdrawal.
The most disturbing aspect of this incident was the unethical circulation of a video showing the victim’s body. The fact that multiple people—including police personnel—were present while mobile cameras recorded the distressing scene is a shocking display of insensitivity. The authorities should have taken immediate steps to prevent such an invasion of privacy. Instead, their failure to secure the scene allowed the girl’s final moments to be reduced to viral content, causing additional trauma to her grieving family. If the victim had been a tribal, the police response would have been more proactive since they know well that their geography could change, otherwise.
The girl’s life had already been marked by instability—her parents’ separation, her mother’s remarriage, and her grandmother’s struggles to support her. Yet, despite her brilliance in academics, she faced life with loneliness and despair, as reflected in her suicide note. The environment around her failed to provide the support she desperately needed.
While the police do not suspect foul play, the circumstances leading to her death indicate a deeper issue: a lack of institutional and social support for vulnerable students. The school, police, and administration must recognize that this was not merely an “unnatural death” but a preventable tragedy stemming from negligence.
This incident must serve as a wake-up call for authorities to take student mental health seriously. Schools must implement:
- Strict security measures to ensure classrooms are locked when not in use.
- Full-time, trained counsellors to support students in distress.
- Strict guidelines for handling sensitive incidents to prevent further victimization through video circulation.
- Increased government support for infrastructural improvements, including CCTV installations in key areas.
The girl’s death was not just an individual tragedy—it was a reflection of systemic failures that need urgent redress. Instead of treating this as an isolated case, authorities must take proactive steps to ensure no other student faces the same fate.
Yours etc.
A concerned citizen
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