Scolded By Teacher, 2 Dalit Girls Die By Suicide In Hyderabad Hostel; Kin Cry Foul

Two Class 10 Dalit girls allegedly died by suicide in a Telangana government-run hostel for Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Bhongir after being reprimanded by a teacher for misbehaving with juniors.

Primary investigation by the police suggested that the girls were “scared” and “embarrassed” after being reprimanded. Police found a suicide note in their room where the girls, who studied in a government school, stated that they had been falsely implicated in a matter that they weren’t responsible for.

They claimed in the suicide note that only their hostel warden, Shailaja, believed in their innocence.

Citing the incident that took place on February 3, the girls wrote a suicide note, stated a report by The Times of India. “Nobody believes us. We are being framed for something we did not do. We are unable to cope with it and so we are dying by suicide. Perform our funeral together,” the suicide note stated.

District Education Officer, Narayan Reddy told TOI, “It appears there was a complaint by students of junior classes against the two girls, but it was a minor issue.”

The warden came and counselled them. But it seems the girls were deeply disturbed by the incident,” he said.

The families of the two girls were in a state of shock. One parent expressed disbelief, stating, “We are not convinced that they authored a letter solely praising their warden. It’s perplexing why their teachers and warden failed to notify us when there were complaints against them. The police should investigate their roles.”

A police official involved in the probe said, “Parents are alleging that these individuals engaged in suspicious activities leading to the girls’ deaths. They also contend that the handwriting on the suicide note doesn’t match either student.”

Protests erupted at the hostel campus as the parents and relatives of the two girls demanded an investigation into the deaths. They called for immediate action against the hostel warden, staff, and the auto driver responsible for supplying groceries and vegetables to the hostel.

Police have registered a case of suspicious death under Section 174 (unnatural death) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and have summoned the hostel staff and auto driver for questioning.