Deepthi suicide: School admits punishment

BANGALORE: D Deepthi, who allegedly committed suicide on Monday after being punished at school for not doing homework, had allegedly tried to kill herself ten days early by consuming sleeping pills.
One of her relatives told TOI that Deepthi’s mother Pushpa came to know of it and rushed her to a doctor who took immediate measures to rescue the girl.The reason remained unknown. Deepthi would buy sleeping pills for an aged neighbour and had allegedly built up a stock of pills over a period of time.
The 15-year-old girl, who set herself ablaze at her Hongasandra residence, wrote a suicide note which said she was ending her life as she was being pushed to study hard by everyone though she always wanted to be a dancer.
Her parents Dinesh and Pushpa, however, said the school was to blame as Deepthi had been made to stand outside the school earlier on Monday for not doing her homework. It was the third punishment within a week.
“We haven’t questioned Deepthi’s parents. TN chief minister Jayalalithaa’s visit to Parappana Agrahara court delayed our investigation. We’ll summon the school authorities on Wednesday and question them,” Madiwala police said.
‘HOW CAN WE TEACH OTHERWISE?’ The authorities of Vidya Jyothi School, Hongasandra, admitted it had punished Deepthi for not doing homework on Monday. “Yes, Deepthi was asked to stand outside class for not doing her homework properly. This is the maximum punishment we give to erring students. How can we teach children without even giving minimal punishment?” said J Haridasan, school secretary said.
“It is sad that Deepthi took an extreme step. She was more interested in dance than studies. We repeatedly advised her parents to counsel her,” he added. Deepthi had failed in last year’s Class 9 exams.