In light of the recent cases of minor rapes and child abuse, Indian parents are struggling to understand if there are any safe places for their kids?
Sadly even schools, once considered as a safe place, are now turning into a major hub of child abuse.
But, what makes it even more saddening is the fact that when our daughters or sons raise their voices against the abuse, the society chose to shut its eyes and ears.
And, when schools refuse to take accountability or any actions against the abuser, our society lets the kids and their parents struggle alone in their battle for justice.
Recently a horrific incident happened in Madhya Pradesh when the father of a Class 10 girl committed suicide after his daughter accused her teacher of molesting her.
When he saw that even the school supported the accused and pressurized him to withdraw the molestation charges, the father lost his strength and allegedly committed suicide.
The deceased, Rajesh Kurmi, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from an electric pole in a field in Pipariya Pachar area of Sagar district.
As per the recovered suicide note, Rajesh Kurmi stated that he was heartbroken because the students and teachers of his daughter’s school supported Dilip Jain, whom his daughter accused of molestation.
He additionally mentioned how the school principal and other staff members compelled him to withdraw the molestation case filed against Jain.
Kamlesh Kalchuri, in-charge Gathkota police station, reported ANI:
“He has committed suicide by hanging himself on an electric pole. We will investigate the matter from every angle. We will also verify the suicide note and take action accordingly,”
In order to seek justice for this father and his daughter, family members protested and demanded stern action against the accused. One of the close relatives mentioned:
“We want justice. They did wrong with our daughter. They have killed our brother. We want justice.”
While many of us are encouraging our daughters to speak against the abuse, it is saddening to see how society and school systems refuse to hear their voices against molestation.
It isn’t the first time that a parent had to put life on the line to seek justice for their kid.
A few months back, a private school expelled a girl for allegedly spoiling the institute’s environment. Her fault: She was brave and accused a teacher of molesting her. As she raised her voice, the school authorities not only expelled her but also her brother. And, the girl’s parents, who were working at school, were also fired.
After the incident, the parents tried to take help from authorities and politicians to seek justice. But nobody came forward. Tired of feeling helpless for her kids and husband, this mother decided to commit suicide.
It’s our fault as a society and as a country that we are not able to save our kids from the brutality of predators. Rather than being supportive of their struggle, we tend to shut our eyes and choose to stay silent.
At IFORHER, we pray for this father’s soul, who sacrificed his life to seek justice for his daughter.
We hope the authorities would investigate the matter at the earliest and would take strict action not only against the accuser but also the school, who pressurized this father so much that he was left with no other choice but to take his own life.
