The death by suicide of a 14-year-old student from Kannadi Higher Secondary School in Palakkad has sparked widespread protests and renewed calls for better mental health awareness and support in schools.
The student, Arjun, son of Manjusha and Jayakrishnan of Charalamparamb, Pollapadam, Mathur, Palakkad, was a Class 9 student. His mother works at a local photostat shop, and his father is employed in the UAE.
According to police and media reports, the incident originated from an Instagram group chat involving Arjun and a few of his classmates. The content of the chat was reportedly considered inappropriate by the mother of one of the students, who then informed Arjun’s mother.
Subsequently, both families visited the school to discuss the matter with teachers. The parents agreed that the students would be warned and counseled about responsible online behavior and were advised not to repeat the mistake. The issue appeared to have been settled amicably.
However, according to Arjun’s family and classmates, the situation escalated after the class teacher, Asha, who had been absent on Monday, returned to school the following day. She allegedly singled out Arjun in front of his classmates, scolded him, and told him that his actions could constitute a cybercrime.
Reports suggest the teacher allegedly called or threatened to contact the cyber cell, warning Arjun that he could face a ₹25,000 fine and a one-and-a-half-year jail term under cyber laws. Classmates told reporters that Arjun became extremely upset following this exchange and requested to speak for five minutes to explain his side, but was not given the opportunity.
According to friends, Arjun tried to reach his mother by phone three times that morning but was unable to connect. They also stated that he appeared visibly shaken and told a close friend, “This will be my last day.” Before leaving school, he reportedly hugged his friend and walked away.
Later that afternoon, his mother found him hanging in his bedroom, still in his school uniform. Police recovered his schoolbag and mobile phone from the scene.
Arjun’s parents have alleged that the mental harassment and humiliation by the class teacher and the school authorities led to their son’s death. They also claimed that this was not the first time Arjun had been singled out in class; other students confirmed that the teacher had allegedly scolded or beaten him on previous occasions.
In response to public outrage, the school principal and the class teacher have been suspended pending investigation. Kerala’s Education Department has ordered a detailed probe into the incident, led by the Director of General Education. Police have registered a case of unnatural death and are recording statements from students, teachers, and family members.
Following the incident, hundreds of students from Kannadi HSS staged a spontaneous protest on the school grounds demanding “Justice for Arjun.” The demonstration, which began without any formal organizational backing, soon drew widespread attention. Protesters alleged that persistent mental harassment by the teacher had pushed Arjun to take the extreme step.
Many students were seen stating that the tragedy could have been prevented “if only someone—his teacher or his mother—had listened to him.”
The incident has raised serious concerns about the mental health and emotional well-being of adolescents in educational settings. Mental health experts emphasize that teenagers often experience strong emotional reactions to events that adults may perceive as minor. Feelings of humiliation, rejection, or being unheard can trigger intense psychological distress, especially when combined with academic pressure or family stress.
Suicide among adolescents in India has been recognized as a growing public health issue. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), student suicides accounted for nearly 8% of all suicides in 2023. Psychologists note that early intervention, empathetic listening, and timely counseling support can help avert such tragedies.
Schools are being urged to establish clear mental health support systems, including trained counselors, confidential grievance redressal mechanisms, and sensitization programs for teachers on handling disciplinary issues compassionately. Experts also stress the need for parental awareness.
(Rh/Eth/TL/MSM)