‘Made to lick toilet seat’ beaten up: Kerala teen's mother after his suicide over ragging

Kochi, Kerala: A few weeks after the tragic suicide of a 15-year-old schoolboy in India's southern state of Kerala, his mother has claimed that relentless ragging drove him to take his own life.

According to media reports, Mihir died by suicide on January 15, jumping from his 26th-floor apartment just an hour after returning from school.

In an Instagram statement, Rajna PM alleged that her son, Mihir Ahammed, was physically assaulted, verbally harassed, and subjected to extreme humiliation, including being forced to lick a toilet seat.

Mother’s fight for justice

The devastated mother has since filed a formal complaint with the police station and petitioned the Child Commission for a thorough investigation.

She has also reached out to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the state police chief, urging immediate action.

Determined to uncover the truth, Mihir’s parents spoke to his friends and analysed his social media.

What they found painted a chilling picture: Mihir had been systematically tormented, beaten, and bullied for his skin colour. His mother revealed that he was taken to the washroom, forced to lick a toilet seat, and had his head pushed into a flushing toilet. A disturbing chat screenshot later emerged, showing some students allegedly celebrating his death with racist remarks.

Allegations of school cover-up

Following Mihir’s death, his friends created an Instagram page titled #JusticeforMihir to raise awareness, but it was reportedly taken down under pressure from the school. Rajna PM accused school authorities of trying to suppress the truth, claiming they only informed her that the matter had been forwarded to the police. She fears delays in gathering digital evidence may allow the perpetrators to erase their tracks.

The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken note of the case, with its chairman confirming an ongoing investigation. Mihir’s mother has also accused the school’s vice principal of mistreating her son.

Call for change

In an emotional appeal, Rajna PM urged the public to support her fight for justice. "My son's death must not be in vain. Those responsible for this barbaric act must face the full force of the law. No child should have to endure what Mihir went through," she wrote.

Education Minister of Kerala V Sivankutty has ordered a thorough investigation into the case. As authorities probe deeper, Mihir’s tragic story serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need to eradicate ragging and bullying from schools, ensuring a safe environment for every child.

Celebrities speak out

The case has sparked widespread outrage, with prominent figures speaking out against ragging and bullying.

Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu expressed her grief, stating, "It's 2025, yet we continue to lose young lives to bullying. This is not a rite of passage; it's violence."

Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran emphasised the role of parents and teachers, while Keerthy Suresh called the incident "heart-wrenching" and a wake-up call for schools.

Keerthy condemned the horrific act of ragging and expressed deep sympathy for Mihir’s grieving mother and family.

Keerthy shared Mihir’s mother’s Instagram post on her story, reacting with, “This is heart-wrenching! If ragging starts in school and a group of kids has tortured a boy to the extent that he took his own life, what a shame! Can’t stop thinking of this grieving mother and her family.”

Call for reform

Mihir’s tragic death has reignited debates on bullying and ragging in schools. Despite strict anti-ragging laws, such incidents persist, endangering young lives. Activists and advocates are now pushing for stronger enforcement of anti-bullying measures and systemic reforms to ensure student safety.

With inputs from agencies