Teacher and Headmistress Suspended Over Ninth Grader’s Suicide in Palakkad

Widespread protests have erupted against a teacher following the tragic suicide of a ninth-grade student at Kannadi Higher Secondary School in Palakkad. Arjun, a resident of Pallan Chathannoor, took his own life, sparking outrage among his family and fellow students who allege that his class teacher subjected him to mental harassment. Conversely, school authorities have indicated that the child might have been under pressure from home.

In response to the growing public outcry and preliminary findings, class teacher Asha and headmistress Lisy have been suspended pending an ongoing inquiry. The education department has also initiated an investigation into the matter and has requested a detailed report on the incident.

Arjun’s family came forward with a serious complaint against teacher Asha after his suicide at home. They accused the teacher of threatening Arjun with a cyber cell complaint and imprisonment over messages exchanged by children on Instagram. A classmate corroborated this, stating that Arjun became visibly distressed after the teacher allegedly contacted the cyber cell. The classmate further claimed that Asha had told another student that Arjun’s death was a result of being beaten by his uncle.

Students at Kannadi Higher Secondary School expressed their solidarity and condemnation by boycotting classes in protest of Arjun’s death. While school authorities initially maintained that Arjun was experiencing mental stress, the significant student protests ultimately led to the suspension of both Asha and headmistress Lisy.

The Education Department is continuing its departmental inquiry into the incident. Concurrently, the Kuzhalmannam police have registered a case based on the family’s complaint and have commenced their own investigation into the circumstances surrounding Arjun’s death.