Did a Student Take Her Life Due to Forced Conversion Pressure in UP’s Etawah?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The tragic death of a student raises serious concerns about harassment and coercion.
- Allegations of police negligence highlight the need for improved protective measures.
- Community response is critical in addressing such incidents effectively.
- Legal consequences for the accused may set a precedent for future cases.
- Support for victims of coercion is essential in preventing such tragedies.
Etawah, May 3 (NationPress) A 19-year-old BSc student tragically lost her life after allegedly ingesting poison in the village of Kadampur, Uttar Pradesh. This incident is believed to stem from ongoing harassment and pressure to change her religion, as reported by officials.
The family of the deceased has accused a local man, Rizwan, of subjecting her to coercion, including demands for marriage and religious conversion.
She was taken to Saifai Medical University in a critical state but succumbed to her condition during treatment.
According to her family, Rizwan had been persistently harassing her for months, sending inappropriate messages and pressuring her to meet him.
On April 24, he allegedly made threats to kill her family. A complaint was lodged at the Usrahar police station on April 26 against Rizwan and two of his associates.
Despite this, the family claims the police did not take adequate action.
Allegations of continued harassment followed, leading the student to consume poison on the night of April 30 out of desperation.
Her brother noted that the threats had severely affected her mental health. At the time, her father, a laborer in Delhi, was away while she resided with her mother.
After her passing, police filed a case late Friday under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the IT Act, charging Rizwan and his brother Salman with abetting suicide.
The family also raised concerns about negligence at the post-mortem facility, alleging that the body was initially stored in a malfunctioning freezer, causing a delay in the post-mortem procedure.
Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar Verma confirmed the arrests and indicated that additional police presence has been deployed in the village to ensure public safety.