A 17-year old Hindu girl who hails from Vadugapalayam village in Ariyalur district of Tamilnadu was studying at Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School in Thirukattupalli near Thanjavur. She committed suicide after she was allegedly tortured to convert to Christianity by the school, to continue her studies.
She was studying class 12 at the Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, a government-aided Christian missionary school. The school had allegedly forced her to convert to Christianity to get funding for her education. But the girl refused. While other students of the school went home for Pongal holidays, the school staff had forced her to do chores like cleaning the toilet, washing dishes, etc. Unable to bear the humiliation, she attempted suicide by consuming pesticides used in gardens. She started vomiting from January 9. The warden of the hostel called her parents and asked them to take her home. When she went back home, she had not disclosed that she had drunk pesticides.
She was admitted to the Thanjavur Government Medical college hospital on January 15. It was found that almost 85% of her lungs were affected. Her kidney too had failed. She was being treated in the Intensive Care Unit. She had disclosed that she consumed poison to the doctor only on January 18. However, the girl died shortly later. A video of her dying declaration was released on social media. In the video she says, “They had asked my parents, in my presence, if they could convert me to Christianity so that they can help me with my further studies. Since I didn’t accept, they kept scolding me” She also named a lady, Rachael Mary who had allegedly tortured her.
However, the SP of Thanjavur, Ravali Priya had a press meet where she said that there is no proof of forceful conversion of the minor girl. She has also threatened to take action on those who had shared the video of the girl on social media.
Legal Right Protection Forum (LRPF) filed a complaint with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and also shared the video of the dying declaration. In response, the chairman of NCPCR, Priyank Kanoongo, has issued a notice to the Police authorities of Tamil Nadu to take action immediately.
The Commission found that there is prima facie contravention of Art 25 & 28(3) of Indian Constitution, provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and various provisions under IPC. Following this, the father of the girl, Muruganandham, had written a complaint to the Police Inspector of the Thirukattupalli Police Station on January 20. In the complaint he had mentioned there was an attempt by the school to convert her child to Christianity.
A petition was filed by the father of the girl in the Madras High Court seeking a proper investigation in this case. On January 28, Justice GR Swaminathan heard the argument of all the parties involved and reserved the judgment.
NCPCR has said that the Tamil Nadu government is not cooperating with it in the case, and therefore the commission will make all arrangements itself for the probe. In the statement it is said, “The Government of Tamil Nadu is reluctant to extend the necessary facilities/support to the NCPCR team for the said inquiry on the pretext of imposition of Model Code of Conduct which came into force due to Local Body Ordinary Elections in the State of Tamil Nadu”.
Thankfully, the Madras High Court has ordered that the case will be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a detailed probe into the case. Hope justice will be delivered to Lavanya to prevent any similar incidents in the future. Those involved in forceful conversions must think twice before engaging in such anti-social activities.