In a shocking and heartbreaking incident that has spurred outrage and anger, a 17-year-old girl named Usha Kumari tragically took her own life after being publicly humiliated, slapped, and expelled from her school in Jharkhand, India. The incident took place at St. Xavier’s School, located in the Teltulmari neighbourhood in the city of Dhanbad, on Monday, July 10.

Usha, a young and bright tenth-grade student, had arrived at school wearing a bindi, a traditional symbol worn on the forehead in Indian culture. However, her decision to embrace her cultural heritage led to a catastrophic chain of events. As soon as she saw her teacher, she promptly removed the bindi. Despite this, in an act that has stunned the community, she was publicly humiliated and slapped twice by her teacher in front of the entire school assembly.

The harsh punishment didn't stop there. Usha was taken to the principal's office and subsequently expelled from the school. The actions taken by the school authorities were met with widespread shock and indignation, as they seemed to lack understanding and respect for cultural diversity.

In the aftermath of this horrifying incident, Usha returned home, desolate and distraught. Unable to bear the humiliation, she tragically ended her life by hanging herself from the ceiling of her room at around 11 am on the same day. A suicide note was discovered in her school uniform, in which she held the school principal and her teacher accountable for her death.

An immediate investigation into the matter was launched following the lodging of a First Information Report (FIR) by the girl's family at the Tetulmari Police Station. The teacher accused of slapping and humiliating Usha has been arrested.

Speaking about the deeply troubling incident, DSP (Baghmara) Nishra Murmu stated, “A class 10 student of St Xavier’s School in Tetulmari committed suicide on Monday leaving a suicide note in which she has held the principal and teacher responsible for her death.”

In a public show of outrage and demand for justice, villagers and the victim's family blocked a road and organized a protest outside St. Xavier’s School on Tuesday, July 11. The bereaved mother of Usha demanded justice, and for everyone named in the suicide note to be held accountable. She said, “My daughter removed the bindi as soon as she saw the teacher. But the teacher slapped her twice in front of the assembly. I explained everything to the principal, but he did not listen and expelled my daughter.”

This shocking incident has caught the attention of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo announced that the Commission has taken cognizance of the incident. He said, "In Jharkhand’s Dhanbad, a girl student has been reported to have committed suicide after being thrashed for going to school wearing a bindi." He confirmed that a team from the NCPCR would be visiting Dhanbad for further investigation.

This incident has cast a shadow of grief and anger over the community, and raised serious questions about the sensitivity and respect for cultural diversity in educational institutions. The tragic loss of a young life has resonated deeply and caused a public outcry for justice and change.

Hindus under attack

Here are the few instances where Hindu students were reportedly harmed or faced issues due to their religious symbols in Indian schools, colleges, or universities:

1. Kerala School Incident: In 2018, a school in Kerala reportedly expelled students for wearing Hindu religious symbols like kumkum and sacred thread. The school's management argued that the symbols were against the school's secular policy. The incident sparked a significant backlash from the local community and raised questions about religious freedom in educational institutions. Source

2. Christian Schools Banning Hindu Symbols: Some Christian schools in India have reportedly banned Hindu symbols like Mehandi and Bindi. The schools argue that these symbols are against their dress code and secular policy. However, this has led to criticism and debates about religious freedom and cultural imposition in educational institutions. Source

3. Kerala School Denies Admission: In 2019, a school in Kerala reportedly denied admission to two girls because they were wearing bindis. The school's management argued that the bindi is a religious symbol and is against the school's secular policy. The incident led to a significant backlash from the local community and raised questions about religious freedom in educational institutions. Source

4. Minority School Forces Christian Values: A minority school in India reportedly forced Christian values on Hindu students and banned the use of Hindu symbols. The incident led to criticism and debates about religious freedom and cultural imposition in educational institutions. Source

5. Kerala School Bans Hindu Symbols: A school in Kerala reportedly banned Hindu religious symbols like bindi and mehendi. The school's management argued that these symbols are against the school's secular policy. The incident sparked a significant backlash from the local community and raised questions about religious freedom in educational institutions. Source

6. Orissa School Attack: In 2008, armed men raided a Hindu school in Orissa’s rural Kandhamal district and killed five people, including a senior leader linked to India’s main opposition Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The region is a stronghold of Maoist rebels and police say they have evidence to link the guerrillas to the attack. Source

7. Rakhi Cutting Incident in Gujarat (2018): A teacher in a missionary school in Gujarat cut off a Rakhi from a student's wrist. The teacher's action led to a significant uproar, and the Gujarat government ordered a probe into the incident. Source

8. Rakhi Removal Incident in Karnataka (2022): In a missionary school in Karnataka, teachers removed Rakhis from the wrists of students. The school apologized after parents protested. Source

9. Khandwa Christian School Incident (2023): A Christian school in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, organized Kalma and Namaz to celebrate Eid. Hindu groups protested against this move. Source

10. West Bengal School Incident (2019): A teacher in West Bengal attacked a 7-year-old student for chanting "Jai Shree Ram". Source

11. Hathras School Incident (2023): In a school in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, students were forced to perform Namaz and wear Burqa. Parents protested, and the principal and teachers were suspended. Source

12. Rajasthan Missionary School Incident (2023): A missionary school in Rajasthan forced Hindu students to attend church prayers. Parents protested against this. Source

13. Odisha Missionary School Incident (2023): A missionary school in Odisha forced Hindu students to attend church prayers. Parents protested against this. Source