Students Riot in Kerala, India, After Suicide

Students Riot in Kerala, India, After Suicide

by Kevin Caruso

July 23, 2004

Rajani Anand, 21, was an intelligent and ambitious computer engineering student at the state owned Institute of Human Resource Development. But she came from a very poor family and needed a government loan to pay for her college fees.

When financial pressures hit her and she could not meet the payments, she was not allowed to continue her studies.

Desperate, she went to every bank she could to try to obtain an additional loan.

But every bank that she visited refused her.

Deeply depressed and feeling hopeless, she went to seventh floor of a building and jumped to her death.

When fellow students heard about the suicide, they took to the streets and began rioting. Numerous windows were broken and several cars were set on fire.

Many students attacked the banks that turned her loan down.

The suicide of Rajani has followed numerous suicides by indigent farmers who were also unable to repay government loans.

The citizens of Kerala deserve better treatment by the government.

The insensitivity that they are experiencing is inexcusable.

Thus far, government action has been nearly non-existent.

If government officials do not take corrective action soon, there will be many more suicides and much more unrest.

---

If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.

Thank you.

I love you.

Take care,

Kevin Caruso