Student suicide: Narsingi Sri Chaitanya College's affiliation cancelled

Hyderabad: A week after the suicide of intermediate student Sathwik at Sri Chaitanya Junior College, in Narsingi, the Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (TSBIE) has decided to cancel the affiliation of Sri Chaitanya Junior College, Mahathi campus from the next academic year 2023-24.

As per TSBIE, two campuses recognised by Board are Sri Chaitanya Junior Kalasala, near YSR statue, and Sri Chaitanya Junior Kalasala, Mahathi building behind KVMR Function Hall. Both were granted affiliation by BIE for 2022-23 academic year.

On Monday, a high-level meeting was held by the secretary of the education department, Vakati Karuna, Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education secretary Navin Mittal, along with the management of 14 corporate colleges in Hyderabad, including Sri Chaitanya, Sri Medhavi, Gauthami, and Pragathi. The board said strict action would be taken against colleges that are abusing/manhandling students.

During the meeting, corporate colleges were asked to create a student-friendly environment. Vakati Karuna asked the colleges to prepare guidelines on inter-education in their colleges and submit them to the intermediate board. It was decided to conduct inspections in corporate colleges every 15 days to check the environment. Ahead of the Intermediate Public Examinations (IPE) commencing on March 15, the colleges have been directed to ensure that the students have recreational activities and a proper sleep cycle.

Observing that the students in the hostels are stressed due to their studies, parents were advised to manage their time and spend quality time with students. The corporate colleges were told to introduce cultural activities for intermediate students and have sessions by counsellors.

The meeting discussed the reasons for intermediate suicides in recent times and the necessary actions to be taken. According to the officials, they have received suggestions on bringing a grading system for intermediate instead of ranks. This can help the students avoid stress.

The suicide case

Sixteen-year-old Nagula Satwik died by suicide in his classroom at Sri Chaitanya Junior College in Narsingi on 29 February after facing harassment by teachers. On 28 February, Satwik’s father visited his hostel to talk to him. He said his son was suffering from skin allergies and gave him medicines. The boy told his father that the hostel food was not good. He also mentioned that his lecturers, Aacharya, Krishna Reddy, and warden Naresh, scolded and beat him.

The boy also told his father Raja Prasad, that he did not want to study in the college. The father advised Satvik to focus on his education and left the hostel. Later that night, he received information that his son had ended his life.

The parents blamed the management of Sri Chaitanya College, a person named Jagan, and others for their son’s death, alleging abetment.

According to students, when they found the boy’s body in the classroom, they rushed to help him, but the warden ordered them to leave and locked the door instead of taking him to the hospital.

Committee constituted:

The inquiry committee of the Board of Intermediate Education, which was constituted to know the facts behind the student suicide, found that Sathwik was not a student of the Narsingi branch. The college was conducting classes for Sathvik at a different branch.

"It is also known that the student was residing in another affiliated building located at Narsingi (college code 58520), but his IPE examination fee was forwarded from Sri Chaitanya Jr Kalasala near YSR statue, Narsingi in Rangareddy District (college code 58485)", read the letter.