A Class XII student was found hanging at his residence near Karaikudi in the Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, July 27, following which the authorities have initiated a probe into the incident.
"Last night, a Class XII student committed suicide by hanging himself at home. We are investigating the case. The autopsy was done. The body was handed over to his parents," Karaikudi Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vinoj told ANI.
The incident comes just a day after another Class XII student was found dead at her home in Virudhachalam in the Cuddalore district. Tamil Nadu has reported five such incidents this month.
Earlier, a 16-year-old girl reportedly died in her hostel premises of a private school in Kallakurichi. The girl's parents suspected foul play while police said she died by suicide. In another incident reported in the state, a Class XII girl reportedly died by suicide in Tiruvallur district in her hostel room attached to a government-aided school, as per ANI.
Reacting to the cases of student suicides, on Tuesday, July 26, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that he was pained by these incidents and added that he believes educational institutes should also provide youth with life skills to tackle "obstacles bravely". "Recent incidents in Tamil Nadu are giving me pain. Education Institutions Management should think of Education as a service and not a business," Stalin, who was attending the Golden Jubilee event at the Guru Nanak College in Chennai, said, as per ANI.
The CM added that colleges and universities should equip their students with confidence and courage to take on challenges. "Students are coming to educational institutions only to get degrees. Education institutions should give self-confidence, courage, and power to students to manage all situations under any circumstances. Tamil Nadu students have to face their obstacles bravely," he added, as per ANI.
Additionally, the Minister focused on the sexual abuse aspect. "We won't just sit and see sexual abuse or harassment. We will take strong steps toward sexual harassment accused and they will be brought before the law," he added, as per ANI.
The CM also urged students to shun suicidal thoughts no matter how hard the situation. "Under any circumstances, students should never have suicidal thoughts. Revive the thought (process) to achieve more," he added.
