The management of The Oxford Dental College suspended six faculty members from its Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology following the alleged suicide of a 23-year-old dental student, amid allegations that she was subjected to repeated humiliation, including remarks about her skin colour.
The suspension will remain in force until further notice, according to a letter issued by the college management. Those suspended include senior lecturers Dr Anmol Razdan, Dr Shabana Banu, Dr Faika Kolkar and Dr Alba Dinesh, Reader Dr Sindhu R and Professor Dr Sushmini Hegde.
The action follows the death of B Yashaswini, a third-year student of the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, who allegedly died by suicide at her residence in Head Master Layout, Chandapura, on January 8.
Yashaswini’s mother Parimala alleged that her daughter was subjected to harassment and mental torture by lecturers and held the college principal responsible for failing to prevent the alleged abuse. According to the family and classmates, the student was repeatedly humiliated in class, including remarks mocking her skin tone and appearance.
Police investigating the case said preliminary findings indicate that the student was allegedly humiliated over her skin colour and dressing style. Among the remarks allegedly directed at her was, “How can someone with dark skin become a doctor?”
According to relatives, Yashaswini had been suffering from an eye-related medical issue and did not attend classes on January 7. When she returned the next day, a lecturer allegedly made sarcastic comments about her eye condition in front of classmates, questioning how many eye drops she had used and whether she had poured an entire bottle into her eye.
The family also alleged that Yashaswini was denied permission to present a seminar and was not allotted radiology case work- both of which she feared could affect her internal assessment marks and academic standing. Her mother described her as academically bright, sensitive and deeply distressed by the alleged treatment.
Although Yashaswini left behind a death note, she did not explicitly name anyone. Initially, Suryanagar Police registered a case of unnatural death. However, following further complaints from the family and classmates, an FIR was later registered against five persons, including the college principal, alleging harassment and caste-based abuse.
After the FIR was filed, the college management dismissed the six lecturers from the department, saying that the action was precautionary and that a detailed internal inquiry was underway.
In a statement, the management said it would cooperate fully with the police investigation.
“My daughter dreamed of becoming a doctor and serving society,” Parimala said, adding, “But the humiliation crushed her. The justice my daughter deserves should send a strong message so no other student suffers like this.”
Police said further investigation is ongoing.

Original source: in