Saritha Suicide : Students, Staff Demand Action against Eve-teaser
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SB)
Mangalore, Jun 20: The death of Saritha, a final year BCom student in University College at Hampanakatta was condoled by the students and lecturers of the college here on Monday June 20. Saritha committed suicide by immolating herself on Sunday June 19. The girl was a resident of Barebail, Yeyyadi in the city.
The procession led by Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) was taken out from the college campus to deputy commissioner's office wherein they later submitted an appeal to the DC.
ABVP leaders requested the DC to convene a meeting of all bus conductors and drivers in order to check their biodata and also convene a meeting with them on monthly basis.
Principal of the college Narayana Bhatta H R said that a counseling system is in place in the college wherein a group of teachers hold counseling for students in case of any personal problems ranging from financial to emotional. He regretted that Saritha did not give any written complaint to her lecturer on the alleged sexual harassment meted out to her by a certain bus conductor. He also said that youth should not get bogged down by emotions all the time, but face certain incidents with courage.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashwini who was the deceased's benchmate said that Saritha was a brave and silent girl. Ashwini also said that due to eve-teasing by one of the bus conductors, she always accompanied her. She recollected Saritha saying that the conductor was of dark complexion.
Another friend of Saritha, Romi said that she was scared despite her friends accompanying her. Saritha had also informed her friends that the conductor was supported by other four associates in eve-teasing.
"I saw her last on Saturday," she added.
A case unnatural death has been registered at Kadri police station. Postmortem report is expected to be out in 10 days.