A 53-year-old primary school headmaster, who also served as a booth-level officer, was found dead in a school room in West Bengal's Bankura district on Sunday. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the local community.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The deceased has been identified as Haradhan Mondal, locally known as Haru Master. He was the headmaster of a primary school and also held the crucial responsibility of a Booth Level Officer (BLO) for booth number 206 in the Ranibandh assembly constituency. His body was discovered inside a room at the school premises.
A poignant suicide note was recovered from the spot. It read, "I cannot take this pressure anymore, farewell." This brief message points directly to the immense strain the officer was under before taking the extreme step.
Family Points to Official 'Pressure'
According to police reports, Mondal's wife, Mala, provided a critical statement. She told the authorities that her husband was deeply affected by the SIR (Summary Revision of Electoral Roll) exercise. She claimed this official duty was taking a severe toll on him, both physically and mentally, and ultimately drove him to end his life.
The SIR is a periodic and intensive process undertaken by the Election Commission of India to update voter lists. Booth Level Officers are frontline officials tasked with door-to-door verification, a role that involves significant fieldwork and accountability.
Community Mourning and Broader Questions
The death of Haradhan Mondal has left the local community in Ranibandh in a state of mourning. Known as a dedicated teacher and public servant, his sudden demise has raised serious concerns about the workload and mental stress faced by individuals holding multiple, demanding roles in the public system.
This incident highlights the often-overlooked pressures on government employees, especially those like BLOs who work at the grassroots level. It prompts a necessary discussion on the need for institutional support systems and mental health resources for officials handling high-stress public duties. The police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
