In a shocking piece of news, two girl students of Class 9 had attempted suicide in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul district. The girls were immediately rushed to a Primary Health Care (PHC) centre and from there, they were taken to Dindigul Government Medical College and Hospital and they have been doing stable. 

The two girl students belong to the Scheduled Caste community and they are the residents of Thoppampatti village. They attempted suicide after their Maths teacher Premalatha had abused them based on their caste. The incident had happened on Thursday - February 16. It has been reported that the girls are studying at Devangar Girls High School in Chinnalapatti. 

Both of the students were being targeted by their Maths teacher, who belongs to Chettiyar community. The reports say that on February 16, Maths teacher Premalatha called these two students to the front of the class and asked other students to refrain from maintaining close relationships with them. Premalatha went on to use casteist slurs against these two girls. 

After being insulted based on their caste, the two girls had attempted suicide on the premises of the school. They were taken to a nearby PHC and then, they were rushed to Dindigul Government Medical College and Hospital. They are getting treated and their condition is stable. Dismayed by the caste discrimination against the girls, Muneeswari, the mother of one of the girls, lodged a complaint against teacher Premalatha. 

Based on her complaint, the Chinnalapatti police booked a case against the teacher under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015. Muneeswari had further alleged that Premalatha and the school administration were reluctant to provide first aid to the girls after they attempted suicide. By citing that the students are treated poorly, Muneeswari urged the police to take action against those responsible including the headmistress of the school. 

After the villagers came to know about the incident, they blocked roads and held protest at the police station. Along with the senior police officials, Dindigul Superintendent of Police Bhaskaran held talks with the protestors and assured them that a stern action will be taken against Premalatha. On Friday- February 17, Premalatha was suspended and the police is yet to arrest her in the case.