The family of a 13-year-old boy who committed suicide at Kalavoor in Alappuzha district filed a complaint against the teachers of his missionary school. The grieving family alleged that the school teachers were physically and mentally harassing the child, even for trivial matters. They alleged that the child took the extreme step due to harassment from the teachers.
Last Thursday, Prajith Manoj, the son of the Azhikakath Veettil Manoj-Meera couple of Kalavoor, hanged himself inside the house. Prajith was a 7th-standard student of Holy Family Visitation Public School, Kattoor. Last Thursday, during the last period, Prajith and his classmate Vijay were late to class. It is alleged that Prajith said that he had gone to fetch water because Vijay fell, but the teachers did not believe him.
The harassment is said to have started as a result of an event that happened in between class periods. Prajith went to get drinking water for a sick friend outside the classroom. When their teacher returned to the school, his fellow pupils told her what was happening, but she allegedly disregarded them and told the authorities that two of her kids were missing. The children had gone back to class by the time the school administration conducted a search and made public announcements on the campus.
The grieving family complained that the Physical Training (PT) teacher of the school, Christudas, whipped Prajith several times with a cane and humiliated him in front of his classmates. Why do Missionary schools often use PT teachers to intimidate and physically abuse students? Another teacher accused the students of using cannabis and of being involved in a drug chain.
Prajith returned home in a state of deep depression. Prajit’s elder brother, Pranav, found his brother hanging in the hall when he came home. He was still wearing the Holy Family Visitation Public School uniform. The Mannanchery police have registered a case of unnatural death in the incident.
Manoj complained about the teachers to the Chief Minister, Education Minister, DGP, Child Rights Commission and CBSE Council. Manoj complains that the teachers tortured his son mentally and insulted and beat him in front of other children.
Students Federation of India demanded that a thorough investigation be conducted against the culprits and that punishment be ensured. A march will be held at the school on Monday. Prajith did a humanitarian intervention by providing necessary care to a physically challenged friend in the classroom. However, the school authorities harassed the children and talked to them in such a way as to cause mental trauma without listening to them.
The locals have formed an action council demanding action against those responsible for Prajith’s suicide. Action Council convener A.R. Sunilkumar said that after Prajith’s last rites on Monday, they would protest in front of the school with his ashes.
Many of Prajith’s classmates, according to Manoj, have also claimed to have heard the loud noises made by the teachers while they physically abused the minor boy. The local police will obtain statements from the school administration in response to the complaint.
