Ahmedabad: Dalit student attempts suicide, alleges ragging by seniors

For 20-year-old Gopal Mahida, it was hell down under. The Dalit student, studying commerce in one of Ahmedabad's best colleges, tried to end his life by consuming phynl on Friday evening. Gopal is the youngest of the six siblings and is the first one of the family to study in college.

The first-year B.Com student of HL Commerce College took the desperate step because he was allegedly being ragged by seniors since last three months, police said, adding He is being treated at VS hospital. Mahida hails from Rajula in Amreli and took the drastic step in college washroom.

Mahida has alleged that four third-year students used to tease him, pass casteist remarks and insult him regularly. He further alleged them of making him dance and forcing him to drop his pants during the college break, Navrangpura police said.

Narrating his ordeal, Mahida said: "I'm a Dalit and this that's why my seniors used to make fun of me. Almost every day they would tease me. When I would walk alone, many times they would pour water on my head. They passed lewd remarks regarding my caste. When I thought of complaining to college authorities, my friends warned me for the same as they can be dangerous."

However, being fed up with constant ragging, on September 19, Gopal summoned the courage to walk up to the Navrangpura police station.

"The lady PI at the police station got the accused write an apology for their conduct. However, the next day, my seniors threatened to kill me. When I went to the police station again to file an FIR, I was not entertained and cops only took an application," he said.

"We don't have any farm or land in Amreli. My entire family, including father, mother and siblings, work as labourers in farms. Seeing their situation since childhood, I had decided that I wanted to study to be able to earn well," he said.

After consuming phenyl, Gopal reached out to a security guard of the college who belonged to his community. He said, "After consuming, I realised that I should not end my life and needed help." 
Navrangpura police have filed a complaint of assault, threatening to murder and under the Atrocities Act. The case has been handed over to B Division Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashutosh Parmar. Sharing more details, Parmar said, "It is a case of atrocity. We have arrested two accused who stay at Ghatlodia. They are from Chanasma, Patan and they belong to a farmer family. Search for the other two accused is going on. We have recorded the statement of the victim."

What Classmates say:

"The accused used to target Gopal whenever they found him alone. They have also once harassed him in front of us. He consumed phynyl when none of us were there.... However, he immediately sought help from a security guard who belongs to his community. He called up the ambulance and the cops," a second-year student said.

College yet to take action

Mona Kelshikar, principal, HL College of Commerce, she said, "We have not received any official complaint from the student and hence cannot take any action. After we learnt about the incident, we have convened a meeting with our anti-ragging committee. Since the case is being handled by the cops, and we have met Gopal, we have asked him to give a written complaint once he is discharged from the hospital. Based on the complaint, we will take action against the accused."

Probe ordered

"I have ordered an inquiry and sought a detailed report of the facts from the college authorities within a week. This is a serious matter and the society should also take it seriously," state education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said.

Name: Gopal Mahida
Year of study: First-year, B.Com
Siblings: 6
Fed up of constant ragging, Gopal summoned courage to walk up on Sept 19 to Navrangpura police station

Allegations:

Pass lewd remarks
Made fun of him
Make him dance
Force him to drop his pants during college break