Alarming! 35,950 Student Suicides between 2019-2021

Government Reports 35,950 Student Suicides between 2019-2021: Lack of Data on Discrimination-related Deaths

The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment disclosed in Parliament a staggering statistic of 35,950 student suicides occurring across India between 2019 and 2021. This number surged from 10,335 in 2019 to 13,089 in 2021, marking a distressing escalation.

In response to queries about suicides among Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students due to social discrimination, Minister of State Abbaiah Narayanaswamy acknowledged a critical void in data, stating no specific information exists on SC/ST students’ suicides attributed to social discrimination.

While outlining preventive measures, Narayanaswamy highlighted initiatives such as counseling cells, SC/ST students’ cells, equal opportunity cells, grievance mechanisms, and designated liaison officers in educational institutions nationwide. Additionally, he underscored the implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act of 1955, penalizing the imposition of ‘untouchability,’ and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989, aiming to prevent atrocities against SC/ST members, including students.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has been tracking the alarming rise in student suicides, emphasizing the need for proactive interventions. Nevertheless, the absence of specific data on discrimination-related suicides among SC/ST students raises concerns about the depth of understanding and targeted support for vulnerable communities.

The disclosure underscores the urgency for comprehensive strategies addressing mental health challenges and social discrimination prevalent among students. The government’s initiatives are a step forward, but there’s a pressing need for a more robust framework encompassing data collection mechanisms to address discriminatory factors contributing to these tragic losses of young lives.

This revelation signals a critical juncture for authorities to reassess and reinforce existing measures while bridging the information gap to effectively address the distressing rise in student suicides, especially those linked to social discrimination among marginalized communities.