A 16-year-old Dalit girl in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district was found dead at her home on August 25, a day after she was allegedly humiliated and asked to leave a government school by its headmistress, The Times of India (TOI) reported.
The girl, identified as P Nijanthi, had reportedly gone with her mother, Thavamani, to Government Model Higher Secondary School in Usilampatti seeking admission. According to the police FIR cited by TOI, the headmistress questioned Nijanthi and also spoke to her former headmaster over the phone.
During the conversation, Nijanthi reportedly tapped down her mother’s folded hands as she stood listening to the former headmaster’s comments about her. The headmistress allegedly objected to the gesture and accused the teenager of being arrogant.
Alleged Caste Remark
According to the FIR, the headmistress allegedly made a caste-related remark while rebuking Nijanthi. A relative of the girl, Selvam, told TOI that the teenager was deeply hurt by the incident.
“She made a casteist remark, asking, ‘Why can’t people like you keep your hands folded?’ She then berated the child and ordered her out. The humiliation left her distressed,” Selvam was quoted as saying.
Nijanthi reportedly left the school premises and walked around five kilometres towards Nallamalpatti before her mother found her and brought her home in an autorickshaw.
Her family said she remained distressed after the incident and did not eat dinner that night.
Girl Found Dead at Home
According to TOI, Thavamani returned from work around 5.30 pm the following day and found the bedroom locked. A neighbour broke open the door, where Nijanthi was found hanging.
The family has alleged that the girl was severely affected by the humiliation she faced at the school.
Nijanthi had earlier completed Class X at Thottappanayakkanur and later joined a government school in Poochipatti. She reportedly attended classes there for around 20 days but left because she wanted to pursue nursing studies.
Her family later approached a private girls’ higher secondary school in Usilampatti, where they were allegedly asked to pay ₹5,000 for admission. Unable to arrange the amount immediately, they approached the government school.
The family has also alleged that police have not invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the case. Police have yet to publicly establish the circumstances leading to Nijanthi’s death or confirm the allegations against the headmistress.
