Caste in the Curriculum: Documentary Films as Pedagogical Tools

A national workshop and documentary film festival on January 8 & 9, 2008 organized by Department of Sociology, University of Pune in association with Prakriti Foundation, Chennai.

Student attempts suicide over ‘casteist’ remark

Publication:Times of India Mumbai;

Date:Dec 31, 2007;

Section:Times City;

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Soumittra S Bose I TNN

Nagpur: A final-year student of Bhaiyyaji Pandharipande National Institute of Social Work allegedly attempted suicide after being made a target of a “casteist” remark.

Mahesh Paserkar (22) was admitted to Green City Hospital in Dhantoli on Saturday after reportedly consuming an overdose of sedatives at his home at Barasignal. Paserkar on Sunday claimed that he had decided to take the drastic step as he had been victimised by his collegemates for a year. He also claimed that some local youths threatened to kill his family members. “Local miscreants indulged in hooliganism inside the college and they ganged up with some senior students to target me,” claimed Paserkar.

“They had made it a habit to pass casteist remarks insulting my family background and community,” said Paserkar, a post-graduate student. “Some students ganged up against me to make me feel that being part of the sweeper community leaves one devoid of the right to opt for higher education and pursue a career other than the community’s traditional profession,” claimed Paserkar.

Paserker claimed he was compelled to take sleeping pills to avoid spending sleepless nights due to harassment in

college. Paserkar was reportedly threatened by a group of students to remain absent during the annual college fest on Saturday. When Paserkar decided to stay at home, he reportedly received a call from some of students for not attending the same fest. “I was undergoing tremendous mental agony. Saturday’s incident was like a trigger that prompted me to take the pills,” said Paserkar, who said that during an excursion tour to Goa, he had been harassed. “I was locked up inside the bathroom and they made me sleep on the floor of the bus,”said Paserkar, who claimed that several attempts of molestation had been made on him. “My son has been complaining of harassment and I had to intervene to ensure my son’s safety,” said mother Ramabai Paserkar who works as a cleaner with Nagpur Municipal Corporation.

Paserkar levelled allegations against senior students in connivance with some local youths. Paserkar held a youth from Somwari responsible for his experience.

Principal Laxmikant Tulankar said, “No complaint has been made so far. I would have taken it up if I had been informed,” claimed principal Talunkar. Meanwhile, sources from Dhantoli police station claimed that the victim’s statement would be recorded and sent to Immambada police station for further probe.

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