Tragic End for 13-Year-Old Student in Coimbatore
A 13-year-old girl from Coimbatore district, who set herself on fire allegedly due to persistent harassment by her school teachers, died at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital on Wednesday night. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised serious questions about student safety in educational institutions.
Muthusanjana, a Class IX student from Rottikadai near Valparai hill town, succumbed to her burn injuries after battling for life for several days. The young student was the daughter of Sakthivel Kumaran, who works in a private company in Singanallur, and Valsala Kumari, employed at a tea estate.
The Fateful Morning of October 10
On the morning of October 10, around 8:30 AM, Muthusanjana took the extreme step at her residence in Rottikadai after her parents had left for work. Neighbors who noticed the incident immediately rushed to help, putting out the flames and transporting the severely burned girl to Valparai government hospital.
After receiving first aid at Valparai hospital, her condition continued to deteriorate, leading to her transfer to Pollachi government hospital. As her injuries were critical, she was eventually referred to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, where she fought for her life until Wednesday night.
Disturbing Allegations Against Teachers
In a heartbreaking video released by family members, Muthusanjana made serious allegations against three women teachers at her government high school in Rottikadai. The young student detailed how her English teacher had repeatedly mocked her appearance in front of classmates for nearly a week.
"I was grouped with slow learners by the teacher. But I was not a slow-learner," the girl stated in the video. She further explained that after taking two days' leave, her Tamil teacher threatened to inform her parents about her "poor performance" during the upcoming parents-teachers meeting.
Most disturbingly, Muthusanjana also alleged physical harassment by her science teacher, painting a picture of systematic mistreatment that ultimately pushed her to take the extreme step.
Family Demands Justice
Following his daughter's death, Sakthivel Kumaran filed an official complaint with district police on Thursday morning, demanding action against the three teachers. The grieving father seeks accountability for what he believes led to his daughter's tragic decision.
Police authorities, however, revealed that they had not registered an FIR on October 10 because the girl had given a contradicting statement on the day of the incident. According to police, they possess video evidence where Muthusanjana claimed the burning was accidental.
Law enforcement officials have assured that proper investigation will be conducted and action will be taken against the teachers if found guilty of harassment charges. The case has highlighted the need for better mechanisms to address student complaints and mental health support in schools.
The tragic death of Muthusanjana has sparked conversations about student mental health and the responsibility of educational institutions to provide safe environments for children. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a young life and awaits justice for the alleged harassment that led to this preventable tragedy.
