Kolkata: A day after Kolkata's prestigious school La Martiniere's principal, Sunirmal Chakravarthi, admitted to caning 12-year-old Rouvan Rawla and apologised to the school board, the school's alumni came out strongly in support of him and the board.
"Individuals are on the dock, will be scrutinized and will pass muster, we believe that. However, we will not stand by and watch the school go down when attacks are launched on it which may not be fair," said Avik Saha, La Martiniere Alumnus.
"Sunirmal Chakravarthi has protected himself amply in his interviews. He has stated his stand. He has stated that he is an upright law abiding citizen and will face legal scrutiny," Avik Saha added when asked if he was defending the principal. (
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The alumunus was a little ambivalent on the principal front, perhaps, but no ambivalence was shown on the issue of looking beyond the school and the caning for reasons for Rouvan's suicide.
"If you look at a boy's life, out of 365 days, he spends 210 days in school. Eighteen hours are everyday spent in environments other than the school. Why are we not looking at the different aspects which might have caused his death," said Dr Ronen Roy, La Martiniere Alumnus.
"When someone is traumatized enough to take their own life, surely, they had recourse also to support elsewhere, not just at school. If they had been traumatized at school, surely they could look for support at other quarters available," said Dr D Anklesaria, La Martiniere Alumnus.
La Martiniere turns 175 years old this year and big celebrations are planned. There are those who feel the principal may be under a cloud but not the institution. But there is no wishing away the shadow cast by Rouvan's death.
Rouvan was caned by Chakravarthi on February 12. Four days later, he was found hanging in his room. In an interview to NDTV, Chakravarthi had admitted that he caned the boy, but said that linking the suicide to his corporal punishment is "stretching it." (
Read: Just an apology for Kolkata student Rouvan's suicide?)
On Tuesday, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) claimed that Chakravarthi allegedly admitted hitting Rouvan so hard that his cane snapped in two. The principal, however, has denied that. (
Read: Rouvan's suicide: Principal, school blamed by NCPCR |
Read: La Martiniere principal admits to caning Rouvan)