Students’ protest at Kannadi Higher Secondary School in Palakkad, Kerala, on Thursday morning over the death of a Class 9 boy was called off following the suspension of a teacher and the headmistress.
The 14-year-old was found dead in his bedroom on Tuesday evening, according to police sources.
The Kuzhalmannam police have registered a case of unnatural death based on a complaint filed by the parents.
According to the FIR, the boy took the extreme step after his mother questioned him over certain messages sent by him through Instagram and mentioned the possibility of shifting him to another school.
The relatives alleged that a teacher had also warned the student for sending messages on social media. “We later came to know from other students that a teacher told him that his actions could invite a cyber case and that he might be arrested,” a relative of the boy said.
Students affiliated to various political outfits — including the Kerala Students Union (KSU), Students Federation of India (SFI), and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) — joined the protest held on the school premises.
The students held a demonstration demanding action against the teacher who had allegedly reprimanded the boy.
The protesting students also prevented the headmistress from leaving her office.
“The parents found that the boy was sending messages to other children. The teacher only cautioned a group of students, including the boy, about the misuse of social media. There were also issues within the family,” the headmistress told reporters.
She said the school had arranged a counselling session for the boy and his mother.
Meanwhile, members of the management said they held a meeting with the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) representatives in the wake of the protests.
“We have decided to suspend the teacher and the headmistress. The suspension is not meant as punishment for any lapses but to ensure a fair probe into the incident. They have been asked to stay away from the school until the investigation is completed,” a member of the management told reporters.
After the disciplinary action was announced, the protesting students called off their demonstration.
(Suicide Prevention Helpline: Disha – 1056, 0471-2552056)
Published – October 16, 2025 02:18 pm IST
