Coimbatore recently witnessed a heartbreaking incident, the suicide of a first-year college student, allegedly driven to the edge over an accusation involving a missing Rs. 1500. The pain, the loss, and the unanswered questions surrounding this incident should make us stop and reflect deeply. Was it just about the money? Or was it about the pressure, humiliation, and lack of compassion shown towards a young mind?
The Incident: More Than Just a Missing Amount
A sum of Rs. 1500 went missing in her college, and this student was accused of stealing it. An internal inquiry was initiated, and though nothing is confirmed about her involvement, the emotional burden of continuous questioning, suspicion, and public embarrassment pushed her to take the drastic step of ending her life.
She was just a first-year student, a young girl who stepped into college with hopes and dreams. Now, her parents are left with an irreplaceable void. A life that they nurtured with love and effort has been abruptly lost, not because of a crime, but because of how the situation was handled.
Misplaced Priorities and Mismanaged Investigations
Even if someone does make a mistake, the way we approach the situation matters. Accusations should be handled with evidence, maturity, and diplomacy, especially when they involve young individuals. It’s not just about pointing fingers, it’s about protecting a person’s dignity and mental well-being.
In the Coimbatore college student suicide case, the college management reportedly pressured the girl with repeated interrogations. No one truly knows what happened behind those closed doors. But one thing is certain: the environment created was not one of understanding or support.
Teachers and Management: The Need for Emotional Intelligence
Teachers are not just educators; they are mentors, guides, and caretakers of emotional growth. Patience, empathy, and mutual respect should form the foundation of any student-teacher relationship. Likewise, management should take accountability and foster a safe space where students feel protected and heard, rather than threatened or shamed.
While many colleges claim to conduct regular meetings for student welfare, often these are just superficial formalities, with little real impact. When a student dies by suicide due to emotional trauma, it becomes painfully clear that such systems are failing.
The Role of the Government and Education System
It’s time for our Tamil Nadu government and the Department of Education to step up. Mandatory sessions with certified psychologists should be implemented, not just once a year, but at least once every quarter. These sessions can help students develop emotional resilience, manage stress, and learn how to effectively process accusations or misunderstandings.
The sessions can be conducted individually or in groups, focusing on emotional maturity, crisis management, and self-worth. Education isn’t just academic; it’s also about life skills, and emotional well-being must be part of that curriculum.
A Message to Students: Think Before You Speak
As students, we also carry a responsibility. Gossiping or spreading rumors without knowing the full truth can be incredibly damaging. One-sided narratives are dangerous. Before speaking or judging, we must make space for facts, empathy, and silence if needed. Words can heal, but they can also destroy.
In this girl’s case, she held onto a single false narrative, and that broke her. Let’s ensure that no one else has to bear such a weight.
Let This Be the Last Time
Let this incident serve as a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of mental health, emotional intelligence, and institutional accountability. We pray for the girl and her grieving family, may her soul rest in peace. But prayers aren’t enough.
Our government, educators, and communities must work together to ensure that such tragedies never happen again. A system that fails to protect its youngest minds must evolve, and the time for change is now.