Class 7 student attempts suicide after 'punishment' by teacher in Bengaluru

File photo used for representational purpose.

BENGALURU: A 13-year-old seventh standard student is battling for his life after allegedly attempting suicide following physical punishment and alleged mental harassment by a teacher at a private school in west Bengaluru.The incident has sparked outrage among the child's family and raised fresh concerns over the treatment of RTE students in schools.The student, who studies at a private school in Mariyappanapalya in Jnanabharathi, is undergoing treatment in the ICU at a private hospital in Nayandahalli. According to his family, his condition remains critical.According to the family, the incident began after the boy was allegedly involved in a quarrel with another student at school.

They claim a teacher subsequently scolded him.The family further alleged that, as punishment, the child was made to stand outside the classroom for the entire day, leaving him humiliated and emotionally distressed.The parents also alleged that the school instructed their son to return with his parents the following day, which they believe added to his anxiety and mental trauma.After returning home from school in the evening along with his elder brother, the boy allegedly attempted suicide by hanging himself.

His elder brother, who had stepped out to play with relatives and friends near the house, returned to the house for something and found his brother hanging. He immediately alerted the family, and with the help of neighbours, the boy was rescued and rushed to the hospital.The boy's father runs a grocery shop, while his mother works in another shop. The family has accused the teachers, the management, and fellow students of subjecting him to mental harassment.The boy had earlier informed his parents that he did not want to study at that school for the same reason. The parents had assured him that they would get him admitted to another school after he completed the seventh standard.The parents further alleged that the teachers and students abused him based on his caste.The incident has triggered anger among parents and local residents, who have called for a thorough investigation into the alleged conduct of the teacher and the school's handling of the incident.A senior officer said, "We are yet to receive a complaint from the parents. We are at the hospital and are checking his condition with the doctors. Once the complaint is filed, we will initiate the necessary action."