top of page

By:

Bhaskar Nath Biswal

13 May 2026 at 8:30:30 pm

The Educator’s Delicate Balance

The rising frequency of student suicides across educational institutions in India has cast a dark shadow over the academic landscape. When young lives are cut short in spaces meant for growth and learning, grief naturally turns into an urgent search for accountability. In many tragic instances, criminal complaints of abetment to suicide are swiftly registered against teachers and hostel wardens who administered discipline or reported misconduct shortly before the event. This complex...

The Educator’s Delicate Balance

The rising frequency of student suicides across educational institutions in India has cast a dark shadow over the academic landscape. When young lives are cut short in spaces meant for growth and learning, grief naturally turns into an urgent search for accountability. In many tragic instances, criminal complaints of abetment to suicide are swiftly registered against teachers and hostel wardens who administered discipline or reported misconduct shortly before the event. This complex intersection between academic enforcement, legal liability, and emotional distress presents a profound dilemma for educators nationwide. Addressing this delicate balance requires examining recent judicial rulings that protect standard teaching duties while simultaneously emphasizing the irreplaceable role educators play in safeguarding youth mental health. Legal Relief In a significant legal decision, the Odisha High Court recently delivered a ruling that brings crucial clarity and reassurance to the teaching fraternity. Quashing criminal charges brought against an educator and a hostel warden following the unfortunate death of a sixteen-year-old student, the High Court held that routine disciplinary actions do not automatically constitute abetment to suicide. The court clarified that establishing an offence of abetment requires prima facie evidence of active instigation, intentional aiding or explicit criminal intent, a threshold that standard reprimands or warnings to parents fail to meet. The court rightfully observed that maintaining order, curbing substance abuse and enforcing school standards are integral components of an educator’s professional and moral obligation. Subjecting teachers to criminal prosecution for simply performing their duty creates an atmosphere of fear, rendering educators hesitant to correct wrongful behaviour or uphold discipline. This legal framework finds resonance in other recent academic tragedies across the country, including the widely discussed student suicide at IIT Bombay. In that instance, an invigilator caught a student using unfair means during an examination and initiated standard institutional protocols. When the distressed student subsequently took their life, severe charges of abetment were slapped against the faculty member, causing widespread debate across academia. The Odisha High Court judgment underscores a vital principle relevant to such cases: enforcing examination integrity or administrative rules, when conducted without malicious intent, cannot be equated with driving a student to self-harm. Educators act out of a duty to uphold institutional standards and holding them criminally liable for unexpected outcomes strips them of the ability to govern classrooms effectively. While legal protections shield educators from unjust prosecution, teachers cannot completely sideline their broader responsibility toward understanding student mentality. A judicial discharge does not absolve the academic ecosystem of its moral duty to handle young minds with care and empathy. Adolescents and young adults often experience intense academic pressure, heightened sensitivity to public reprimands and fear of parental disappointment. A stern admonition that appears routine to an adult can feel like an insurmountable crisis to a vulnerable student. Teachers occupy a unique and unmatched position in society. More than anyone else in the world, educators interact with young individuals during their most formative and emotionally plastic years. They possess the proximity to spot subtle shifts in behaviour, withdrawal, sudden drops in performance or signs of emotional turmoil that even parents might overlook. Consequently, while discipline remains necessary, the manner in which it is delivered matters immensely. Reprimands should aim to correct and reform rather than humiliate or isolate. Avoiding harsh public shaming, offering private counselling alongside warnings and creating a supportive space where mistakes can be corrected without fear of absolute ruin are essential steps in preventing emotional collapse. Acting Responsibly Preventing student suicides requires educators to act as both disciplinarians and compassionate mentors. Educational institutions must foster an environment where accountability is coupled with mental health support. When a teacher detects misconduct or academic failure, the response should integrate corrective guidance with counselling services, ensuring that the student understands that a mistake is not the end of their future. By approaching discipline with sensitivity and recognizing the delicate psychological state of modern students, teachers can bridge the gap between authority and empathy. Teachers hold the unique power to inspire resilience and instil hope in young minds. By actively fulfilling this empathetic role alongside their professional obligations, the teaching community can play a decisive, lifesaving role in curbing the tragedy of student suicides across the nation. (The writer is a former college Principal and Founder of Supporting Shoulders, an Odisha-based non-profit Trust. Views personal.)

Bad Roads, Ugly Politics

Suyash Padate
Nov 1, 2024
2 min read

The pathetic state of roads in Mumbai city as well as its suburbs has made daily commute a dangerous affair. The residents are miffed with the BMC over its lackadaisical attitude. Mumbaikars tweet photos, post videos to grab attention, but everything is in vain. Who cares for the common people. Backbreaking journeys have become part and parcel of life. Political leaders are busy mud-slinging.


This year the monsoon took a break after almost four and half months. During this time some of the roads virtually became non commutable. It may be recalled that the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde first announced to make Mumbai roads pothole free.


Its almost two years now the BMC has concretised only 9 percent of roads it planned to concretise. This decision was taken when it came to light that due to the properties of bitumen in asphalt roads, potholes are a regular occurrence due to contact with water during monsoons.


Hence, to solve the problem of potholes, the corporation has adopted a policy of cement concreting of 6-meter-wide roads in phases. The decision was taken but the dilly-dallying affair made things more difficult.


Mumbai’s traffic does put a lot of strain on roads which is not the case in the other developed countries. Second most important aspect is concretisation of roads is done partly and in phases.


The worst problem which is faced is repeated digging for cables and drainage, which weakens the roads. Above all corruption in BMC makes matters worse as a result everything comes to grinding halt.


According to experts, repairing potholes is a reaction with symptomatic treatment. By and large we are dispensing superficial treatment without addressing the root cause. The long-term solution will be to have roads with no potholes but what we need is the means and technology to achieve this. But for this political will is necessary which we lack on every step.


Mumbaikar’s are convience that corruption in the municipal corporation is the main reason. Contractors have had a monopoly over the last 20 years and this is the reason why reputed companies never come ahead for these projects.


As a result, in the name of attendance and repair, the BMC does shoddy work. Crores are spent but the end result is nothing. The BMC is not paying attention to the crust. If the crust is weak, potholes will see an increase. Without any thought or technical know-how, potholes are filled with cold mix.


This is the reason why the city and suburbs continue to have craters on the roads.


Craters, a serious threat to the safety and security of people. Mumbaikars fade up from their repeated visits to orthopedic surgeons.


They are in a mood to teach a proper lesson to those who were at the helm of the affairs.

Comments

bottom of page