Karnataka Teacher Ends Life After Microfinance Harassment
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Synopsis
A female teacher in Karnataka, Pushpalatha, tragically took her life after enduring severe harassment from microfinance staff. This incident highlights the growing concerns surrounding the impact of microfinance practices on borrowers, prompting government action.
Key Takeaways
- Pushpalatha faced harassment from microfinance employees.
- She expressed deep distress before her tragic decision.
- Similar incidents of distress linked to microfinance have been reported.
- Karnataka government plans to enact laws protecting borrowers.
- Harassment from financial institutions can have severe consequences.
Davanagere (Karnataka), Jan 28 (NationPress) A female teacher tragically took her own life by jumping into a river, reportedly due to intimidation from microfinance staffers in Karnataka's Davanagere district, officials stated, noting that her body was discovered on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Pushpalatha, who had been missing since January 26.
According to police reports, Pushpalatha, a resident of Honnalli, along with her husband Halesh, who is also an educator, had secured a loan from a microfinance institution in Shivamogga. It is alleged that Pushpalatha endured harassment from the staff due to their inability to settle the final installment of the loan EMI.
The microfinance employees frequently visited her residence and even came to her school to exert pressure. They had filed a complaint against the couple at the police station, summoning them for questioning.
This relentless harassment led Pushpalatha into a state of profound depression, and she conveyed that the circumstances had caused her great distress. On January 26, after participating in Republic Day celebrations, Pushpalatha jumped into the river.
In the wake of her disappearance, law enforcement found her bag and mobile phone near the Raghavendra Mutt. Suspecting she had entered the river, they initiated a search operation that ultimately led to the recovery of her body floating approximately one kilometer downstream.
CCTV footage collected from the Raghavendra Mutt captured Pushpalatha sitting by the riverbank, appearing lost in thought for an extended period prior to the tragic event.
In a separate occurrence, a man reportedly succumbed to a heart attack allegedly triggered by harassment from microfinance staff in Tumakuru district. The deceased has been identified as Syed Samiulla.
As per his family, Samiulla had taken a loan of Rs 4.66 lakh in 2019 from a microfinance firm. By 2024, he had repaid Rs 7.20 lakh. Nevertheless, the staff continued to pursue him for repayment, claiming the total paid was merely interest. His family asserts that he was charged an exorbitant interest rate of 24.55 percent.
After his passing, Samiulla’s wife, Tabassum Banu, appealed to the authorities for assistance. She alleges that the staff are now targeting her, and this ongoing harassment could lead her and her children to contemplate suicide.
A woman in the Mysuru district of Karnataka also took her life, fearing torture from microfinance employees. Mysuru is the native district of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This incident occurred in Ambale village, where the victim, identified as 53-year-old Jayasheela, reportedly consumed poisonous tablets to end her life.
Her family stated that Jayasheela had secured a Rs 5 lakh loan for farming and dairy operations, requiring a monthly EMI of Rs 20,000. However, the cow she purchased using the loan perished, and her crops failed to yield a good profit. She eventually reached a point where leading a normal life became unmanageable. She bought agricultural poison and committed suicide in nearby Hullahalli village.
These occurrences transpired shortly after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah conducted a high-level meeting addressing the challenges faced by individuals due to microfinance institutions. During a press conference at Vidhana Soudha following the meeting on January 25, the CM affirmed the government's commitment to protecting the interests of borrowers from microfinance institutions.
He stated that stringent legal action would be pursued against those who harass borrowers, and a new law will soon be enacted through an ordinance to safeguard the rights of borrowers.
