Pics and Inputs: Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Raghavendra Balkur
Kundapur, Jul 30: Members of Billawa Association, SFI activists and locals on Wednesday July 30 blamed R N Shetty College for the death of its student Supreeta (17) and staged a protest in the college premises.
Supreeta, daughter of Srinivas Poojary, a resident of Upralli, committed suicide on Tuesday July 29, allegedly due to some ill talk that was going on about her, which had saddened her. She had left behind a death note to this effect.
The protestors said that Supreeta, a student of second PU in R N Shetty College, who used to be on her own, would never have committed suicide. Besides, the death note points at the apathy of the college, said the protesters. They then barged into the principal's office and protested.
Byndoor police sub-inspector Santhosh Kaikini and Kundapur police sub-inspector Prasad D Kavari arrived at the spot and assured that a case would be registered against the college authorities under section 307 and a thorough and fair investigation would be conducted. The protesters then withdrew their agitation.
In this regard, the Billawa leaders held another meeting to chalk out plans for protests to demand justice for Supreeta, with the support of SFI and DYFI. Billawa Sangha honorary president and JD(S) block president Rajeev Kotian, Billawara women's wing president and president of town municipal council Gunarathna, BJP leader Rajesh Kadgimane, Congress town president Ganesh Sheregar, SFI secretary Srikanth Hemmady, DYFI leaders Rajesh Vaderahobali, Suresh Kallagara and hundreds of locals were present.
The college principal clarified that some students were leaving from home saying that they were going to the college and going back home after college hours, without actually attending college. "So we made it a practice to inform the families of the students whenever they were absent. The number of absentees decreased after we started this practice. When Surpreeta did not come to the college, we had called her house to inquire about her absence. We are not aware of any problem that Supreeta might have faced in the college, as she never brought it to our notice," said principal Navinkumar Shetty.
As per reliable sources, nearly one-and-a-half months ago, a male student's name was found written on her desk, and Supreeta was reportedly upset about it. It is said that a lecturer in the college had blown the matter out of proportion and informed the principal about it. Other male students were making fun of her in the college and at the bus stop regarding the incident, stated the suicide note written by her.
In the suicide note, Supreeta said she was undergoing stress on account of baseless, distasteful comments passed by other students of the college, with the specific purpose of annoying her. She had confirmed that she was not in love with anyone, and spoken in her note about high regard she has for her father, who had built a house after undergoing difficulties and raising loan, and also for continuing with her education. She said she was very much interested in studied, but mental consternation on account of the attitude of other students had driven her to take this decision.