An ex-school teacher from DPS Faridabad still seeks justice for her son, who died by suicide six months ago when harassed in DPS school because of his sexuality.
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Bullies are not kind to anyone. Bullies never disappear; when they do, they leave the prints of their frightful comments and exercises as scars on the person who was harassed.
Bullying is rarely harmless; it obliterates an individual’s physical and profound strength, perpetually passing on that person to abide under uncountable snapshots of affliction.
A teacher seeking justice for her son
Arvey Malhotra was one of a kind, not the same as his companions, and had a different take on life. The class 10 student of DPS Greater Faridabad delighted in wearing garments named ‘feminine,’ cosmetics was his approach to communicating his thoughts, gems were his most memorable love, and design was something he partook in a ton. Nonetheless, his being strange exposed him to being called names in school. But soon, he ended his life by jumping from the 15th floor six months ago, and now his mother is demanding justice for his soul.
He took this harsh decision because of his classmates’ bullying and sexual assault, and comments were made based on Arvey’s sexuality. In class 9, things got out of hand when Arvey was blindfolded by other students and asked to strip, he told everything to his mother, and when she reached authorities for help, the plea was refused, saying the boy was creating “drama .”
Soon, Arvey was diagnosed with depression, dreaded attending DPS school, lost interest in art, and barely spoke to anyone. Arvey was taken to several therapists and received some help, but soon it was also affected when in 10th class, he was diagnosed with dyslexia.
“I’d complain to the authorities, but they’d say, ‘He’s a nautanki!’ I’d tell him things would get better. He tried to be ‘manly’ by playing volleyball. But it wasn’t for him. He loved art & music; that made him happy. But at every step, he was mocked for being ‘feminine,'” Arti Malhotra stated.
Arvey left a suicide note for his mother, writing, “This school has killed me. Especially higher authorities.. tell Ninna and bade papa about my sexuality and whatever happened with me. And please try to handle them… You are wonderful, strong, beautiful and amazing” and has also held one of his school teachers responsible for this.
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The bullying had adversely affected him, and he even dreaded going back to school for exams after his holidays. “One day, he said, ‘Ma, I like wearing nail paint & jewelry. I said, ‘Be who you are!’ I was glad he was happy! But it was short-lived. When DPS school reopened for exams, he got triggered. He said, ‘I don’t want to give the exam tomorrow .’ He kept crying, so I texted him, ‘It’s ok, skip your paper.’ But he didn’t reply.”
“An hour later, I got a call from my society, ‘Come home, Arvey did something!’ I told them to take him to the hospital, and when I got there, he was declared dead; he’d jumped from the 15th floor. His suicide note told me to find a new job & that I was the best mom ever. I sobbed; my entire world was taken away from me,” Aarti said while sharing her heartbreaking story.
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Now, a mother is knocking at every door for justice. As told by Aarti Malhotra, the educational institution didn’t even hold a mourning prayer for Arvey. She is not receiving much help from authorities, and the teacher who was arrested was soon bailed out and going to rejoin school soon.
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If you have at any point been harassed, we recommend you get serious about it to whoever causes you to feel great. Having a discussion and discussing it is the initial step to facing the conflict against bullies.
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Child helpline no: 1098
Suicide helpline no: 91-9820466726 (AASRA – We’re Here To Help)
Anti-Ragging Helpline no: 1800-180-5522.
