Tired of classmates' harassment for being dark, teenager burns herself to death

Indians complain of racism abroad while we are guilty of being racist towards our own countrymen. A teenager succumbed to the harassment by her classmates for being dark skinned and committed suicide at Medak district in Telangana.

M Lavanya was tired of constantly being picked on for being dark skinned, reported the New Indian Express. The 14-year-old set herself on fire three days ago and died at the Gandhi Hospital on Monday. She was studying in the ninth grade at Pragati High School in Medak. According to police, she was called dark and ugly by two of her classmates.

“The first time she was bullied, she went home and slit her wrist. Her teachers and principal called her stupid for cutting her wrist,” the police told New Indian Express. Later on January 2, she set herself on fire using kerosene and suffered 45 per cent burns.

The police have recorded a dying declaration. “She told the magistrate her version of the story and based on the report we will take necessary action on whoever she has named,” said G Prashanth, sub-inspector of Gummadidala police station.

• Teenager
• dark skinned
• sommits suicide