A third-year nursing student from Manzoor Hospital and School of Nursing is currently in a critical condition after an alleged suicide attempt late on Saturday night. She reportedly took the extreme step following harassment by the hostel warden and school management. Following this, students and youth organisations, including the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) took out a protest which also led to a clash. However, on Monday, the students withdrew the protest after officials promised action against those responsible for the situation.
The hostel warden has also been kept off her duties after the hospital officials informed that the warden had a role in the suicide attempt of the student, as reported by Times of India.
The student, identified as 20-year-old Chaithanya Kumari from Panathur, was found in her hostel room and is currently in a coma at a private hospital in Kasaragod. Her parents, Sadanandan and Ommana, along with fellow students, have accused the school management of creating a hostile and oppressive environment, as reported by On Manorama.
According to students, the warden scolded Chaithanya on Saturday and denied her roommate’s request to stay with her for support later that evening. Parents and students have described the 24-year-old institution as having "prison-like" conditions, alleging denial of basic privileges such as vacations during Onam and Christmas.
Babu PS, a parent from Rajapuram, expressed frustration over the restrictions imposed on students, which he claims contributed to Chaithanya’s deteriorating mental health.
In response to the incident, the SFI staged a protest march on Monday, December 9, demanding accountability from the management. However, the march escalated into clashes as protesters attempted to forcefully enter the hospital premises. Police resorted to lathi charges to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to two SFI activists and a police officer.
The nursing school, which offers general nursing and midwifery programs with an annual intake of 35 students, now faces scrutiny over its management practices and treatment of students.