News Desk: A Class XI Dalit student was found dead at his home in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, after returning to school following the Puja holidays. His parents have alleged that he faced caste-based discrimination at his government-aided school, claiming that the treatment left him distressed. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death and the allegations against the school.
the incident came to light on the day the student returned to school after the holidays. Police are treating the death as a suspected suicide and are examining whether alleged discriminatory practices contributed to the circumstances.
The student's parents alleged that he was subjected to discriminatory behaviour at school. They further claimed that a section of students subsequently stopped speaking to him, leaving him isolated.
The family reportedly raised concerns with the school before the student's death. However, police said that no formal police complaint had been filed by the parents at that stage. They approached the police after the tragedy.
Police Invoke SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act
Police have registered a case under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Investigators are examining the alleged roles of the school principal, a teacher and others.
A senior police officer told NDTV that the investigation would establish the role of the school authorities and other individuals. Asked whether any teacher had been arrested, the officer said that arrests would be made if required.
Police sources indicated that the alleged discrimination may have been connected to the family's caste and food choices. However, these details remain allegations and have yet to be independently established through the investigation.
Authorities are now examining the events leading up to the student's death, including the family's complaints to the school and the response of the school administration.
Earlier Discrimination Allegations in Coimbatore
The incident has renewed concerns about alleged caste-based discrimination in educational institutions.
Last year, the principal of a private school in Coimbatore was suspended following allegations that a Dalit girl who was menstruating had been made to sit on the stairs outside her classroom to write her examinations.
The latest case has again drawn attention to the need for schools to provide safe and inclusive learning environments, where students are treated fairly regardless of caste or family background.
The investigation into the student's death is continuing. The allegations against the school and its staff will need to be established through the legal process, while authorities work to determine the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
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