Hindu Student Suicide due to pressure from Muslim Teacher [Haveri, Karnataka]

(Reported as seen)

In a tragic turn of events, a 9th standard student, Archana Gaudannavar, from Morarji Residential School in Haveri, Karnataka, committed suicide on July 2nd, leaving behind a note accusing her teacher’s wife of harassment. The incident has sparked outrage and demands for justice.

Archana, a bright student, was reportedly driven to take her own life due to continuous mental harassment by the wife of her teacher, Arifwullah. The harassment stemmed from jealousy over Archana’s academic performance, which was slightly ahead of Arifwullah’s daughter, Zoya, who studied in the same class and was a friend of Archana.

In her death note, Archana detailed the torment she endured, mentioning that the teacher’s wife repeatedly questioned why she was outperforming her daughter in school. Despite the grave allegations in the note, initial reports suggest that Archana’s parents, allegedly having received 1 lakh rupees from teacher Arifwullah, opted to bury their daughter without pursuing legal action.

The police, upon receiving the complaint, exhumed Archana’s body from Aladakatti village in Hirekerur taluk for a post-mortem examination to further investigate the circumstances of her death. The operation was overseen by Haveri Sub-Divisional Officer Chennappa, with forensic experts and officials from the Women and Child Welfare Department present.

The incident has provoked a significant backlash from the community, with activists from Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Karave) Praveena Shetty faction staging protests and demanding a thorough investigation. They submitted a petition at the Tahsildar office calling for an immediate FIR and a CID probe into the case. Bharamappa Dammalli, president of the taluk unit of Karave Praveena Shetty faction, has also called for the dismissal of the implicated teacher from his position.

This case highlights the severe impact of mental harassment on students and underscores the need for strict measures to protect young individuals from such abuse. The community and activists are now pressing for swift justice to be served in the tragic death of Archana Gaudannavar.