The death of a 19-year-old Dalit student at a government degree college in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh has once again raised serious questions about caste discrimination, gender-based harassment, and administrative apathy in India’s educational institutions. Dalit rights organizations allege that the student’s death was not a mere accident but the outcome of long-standing institutional violence.
According to the Dalit Adibasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM) and its women’s wing, Mahila Kamkaj Manch (MKM), the student had faced months of ragging, mental harassment, and sexual abuse. Despite repeated complaints, the college administration neither intervened in time nor provided the victim with security or mental health support.
The organizations stated that the student had fallen ill multiple times, was admitted to the hospital, and exhibited clear signs of severe psychological stress. Yet, the college reportedly took no structural or sensitive measures to address the issue. Rights groups describe this as a blatant violation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and the constitutional right to life with dignity.
Following a complaint by the student’s father, an FIR was filed against three senior students—Harshita, Aakriti, and Komolika—alleging ragging, humiliation, threats, and physical abuse. The victim belonged to the Scheduled Caste community, making the case particularly sensitive.
The FIR also names college professor Ashok Kumar, who faces serious allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse of academic power, and harassment. According to rights groups, such behavior creates an unsafe and intimidating environment on campus.
DASAM stated that the case falls under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which includes provisions for caste-based humiliation, intimidation, and sexual harassment of Dalit women. They also emphasized that relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code should be considered alongside the SC/ST Act.
The organizations highlighted that the law does not provide for anticipatory bail in such cases, and the delay in arrests raises serious concerns about the functioning of the justice system.
Dalit rights groups also criticized the college administration, calling its inaction a “gross dereliction of duty,” which is punishable under the SC/ST Act. They have demanded protection, compensation, and rehabilitation for the victim’s family.
The allegations of ragging fall under the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009, while the accusations against the professor come under laws related to sexual harassment of women at the workplace.
Rights organizations have called for an independent investigation by the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Women. They have also demanded the resignation of the college principal and the state education minister, termination of the accused professor, and expulsion of the named students.
According to the organizations, violence against Dalit women in educational institutions is not just an individual tragedy but highlights the insensitivity and failure of the entire social structure. The case serves as a severe test of claims regarding equality and safety in higher education.
