Forced to lick toilet seat, bullied over skin colour: Mother blames Kerala school for child’s death

Kochi: A 15-year-old boy died by suicide after allegedly facing severe bullying at a private school in Ernakulam. The incident came to light after his mother filed a formal complaint.

In her complaint, Rajna P.M., mother of the student, accused the Global Public School located at Thiruvaniyoor of attempting to cover up the relentless bullying and ragging her son endured on campus. She alleged that her son was subjected to extreme physical and verbal abuse at school and on the school bus, ultimately driving him to take his own life on January 15.

Following his death, Rajna filed complaints with the police, the Director General of Police (DGP), and the Kerala Chief Minister’s Office. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at Hill Palace Police Station in Thripunithura. However, she fears that delays in gathering digital evidence may allow those responsible to destroy crucial proof.

According to Rajna, her son had always been a happy and loving child, but the bullying had severely affected him. She claims he was forced to endure horrific humiliation, including being taken to a school washroom, made to lick toilet seat, and having his head shoved into the toilet while it was flushed.

His tormentors allegedly subjected him to constant beatings and verbal abuse, targeting his skin colour and appearance. She further alleged that even after his death, the cruelty continued, with a screenshot of a chat showing a group of students celebrating his death with the message, “fxxk nigga he actually died.”

The student died by jumping from the 26th floor of his home in Thripunithara, barely an hour after returning from school. His mother, devastated and desperate for answers, began speaking with his friends and schoolmates, going through his social media messages to piece together the events that led to his tragic decision. Through these conversations, she found the extent of the bullying he faced and the disturbing reality of what he had been going through in silence. His friends had created an Instagram page to expose the cruelty he suffered, but Rajna claims the page was later deleted under pressure, and students are now being intimidated into silence.

Rajna said she approached the school authorities with the evidence she gathered, expecting them to take action, but their only response was that the information had been forwarded to the police. She strongly believes the school is trying to protect its reputation rather than holding those responsible accountable. She has also submitted a petition to the Child Commission, seeking an investigation into the alleged harassment her son faced from the vice principal of his previous school.

Expressing her grief and frustration, Rajna said she is determined to fight for justice for her son. “I am begging for justice. His death must not go in vain. Those responsible must face the full force of the law so that no other child suffers like my son did,” she said. She has urged the authorities to act swiftly to ensure that no digital evidence is erased, and that those involved in the bullying and those attempting to suppress the truth are brought to justice. “I have complete faith in the legal system and am confident that justice will prevail,” she added.

(It's important to remember that suicide is not a solution to any problem, and those struggling with mental health issues should seek help from professionals. The 'Disha' helpline provides free counselling and support services. You can call them at 1056 or 0471-2552056)