A pall of grief descended on PES University in Bengaluru on May 14th, 2024. Carasala Rahul, a well-liked 21year-old in his final year of the BTech Computer Science program, died by suicide. The university is reeling after a fourth student died by suicide in the past year. This heartbreaking loss has cast a shadow over the entire community, sparking urgent questions about student mental health. The university is currently investigating the factors that might be contributing to this tragic trend.
Details of the Incident
Reports suggest that Rahul arrived at the college around 8 am for a cloud computing exam. However, he did not attend the exam and instead spent some time on campus. Later, he went to the washroom area on the fifth floor of the computer engineering department and jumped, sustaining fatal injuries. The university staff rushed to the scene upon hearing a loud noise but were unable to save Rahul.
The circumstances surrounding Rahul’s death remain unclear. While the exact reason behind his actions is unknown, his father, Sunil Vijaykumar Carasala, stated that Rahul was a quiet person who did not share any personal struggles. However, anonymous social media posts allege that Rahul was denied entry into the examination hall for being late and faced the possibility of academic repercussions, including potential backlogs and exclusion from campus placements. These claims have not been officially confirmed, but they highlight the immense pressure students often face in academic environments.
A Series of Student Deaths
Rahul’s death was a horrifying addition to a grim list. He became the fourth PES University student to die by suicide in just ten months. The tragedy began in July 2023 when 19-year-old Aditya Prabhu took his own life after jumping from a campus building. Accusations swirled that the university had accused Aditya of cheating during an exam. This incident, followed by the suicides of Vignesh K., a BBA student in January 2024, and another unnamed student earlier in May, painted a disturbing picture at PES.
The university community is in turmoil. Students, alumni, and mental health advocates are furious. They’re demanding a deep dive into the university’s policies, the immense pressure students face, and the effectiveness of existing support systems. They believe a serious look is needed to understand why so many students feel so hopeless.
Calls for Action and Investigation
The university administration’s statement after Rahul’s death, offering condolences and promising an internal investigation, fell flat with the grieving community. Students are demanding more than just words. They want readily available mental health resources, a shift towards understanding academic performance rather than just punishment, and a complete overhaul of disciplinary measures. Their vision is a university environment that prioritizes student well-being and creates a safe space for open communication about both academic and personal struggles.
The outcry highlights a crucial responsibility of educational institutions: to create a safe and supportive haven for students. This means providing access to qualified mental health professionals who students can trust. It also means creating open channels for students to seek help without fear of judgment. Most importantly, it means fostering a culture that destigmatizes mental health issues and encourages students to prioritize their well-being.
The investigation into Rahul’s death, and the string of suicides before it, needs to be more than just internal. It needs to be comprehensive, transparent, and involve not just the university but potentially external experts as well. The goal shouldn’t be to simply find fault for these immediate tragedies, but to identify any deeper issues within the university that might be pushing students to the brink of despair.
Beyond PES University: A National Concern
The string of student deaths at PES University is not an isolated incident. Educational institutions across India grapple with similar issues of academic pressure, mental health neglect, and a lack of robust support systems. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change in educational institutions.
There is a critical need for a national conversation on student well-being. This conversation should involve educators, administrators, parents, students, and mental health professionals. It should focus on creating a holistic educational environment that prioritizes not just academic performance but also the mental and emotional well-being of students.
The future of education in India hinges on creating a culture that fosters student success and growth while nurturing their mental well-being. Only then can tragedies like those at PES University be prevented.
