Scheduled Caste student Pallavi (19) was allegedly harassed and intimidated over an extended period by three senior students and a professor
DHARAMSHALA — The death of Pallavi, a 19-year-old Dalit student of Government Degree College, in the Himachal Pradesh town of Dharamshala, has sparked serious allegations of caste- and gender-based violence and institutional failure, with rights organisations demanding swift arrests, resignations, and an independent judicial inquiry.
In a statement, the Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM) and its women’s collective, Mahila Kaamkaji Manch (MKM), termed Pallavi’s death “tragic and preventable,” alleging that she was subjected to sustained ragging, sexual harassment, physical assault, and extreme psychological trauma within the college campus.
According to the complaint filed by Pallavi’s father and the FIR registered by the police, Pallavi, a Scheduled Caste student, was allegedly harassed and intimidated over an extended period by three senior students identified as Harshita, Aakriti, and Komolika. The organisations allege that the abuse occurred in public spaces within the institution and was marked by humiliation and violence rooted in caste discrimination.
The FIR also names Prof Ashok Kumar, a faculty member of the college, who has been accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour towards the student. Rights groups say the allegations attract provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which specifically recognise the heightened vulnerability of Dalit women to sexual abuse by persons in positions of authority.
In addition to the Atrocities Act, offences have reportedly been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sexual harassment, causing hurt, and criminal intimidation. Activists have urged investigators to apply provisions mandating enhanced punishment where crimes are committed against members of Scheduled Castes with knowledge of their caste identity.
DASAM and MKM also pointed to Pallavi’s repeated hospitalisations and severe mental distress prior to her death, alleging a complete failure by the college to provide counselling, safety measures, or any trauma-informed response. They said this amounted to a violation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and of the student’s fundamental right to life with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Holding the college administration accountable, the organisations demanded action against officials for neglect of duty under the SC/ST Act. They also asserted that Pallavi’s family is entitled to protection, relief, and compensation under the law.
The case has further raised concerns about the enforcement of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009, and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Activists argue that institutional mechanisms meant to prevent ragging and sexual harassment failed to safeguard a Dalit woman student.
Among their demands, the organisations have called for the immediate arrest of all accused persons, noting that anticipatory bail is barred in cases registered under the SC/ST Act. They have also sought the resignation of the college principal and the Himachal Pradesh education minister, termination of the accused professor, rustication of the students named in the FIR, and independent inquiries by the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Women.
Describing the incident as a systemic crisis rather than an isolated tragedy, DASAM warned that such cases reinforce fear and exclusion among Dalit women seeking higher education.
