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The bench further said that universities are legally bound to promote a healthy atmosphere and ensure the welfare of students (file photo)
PIL identifies inadequate action to reduce suicidal tendencies among higher education students
Terming as “worrying” the rise in incidents of suicide among students pursuing higher education, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the authorities to take immediate action.
A division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyay and Justice Amit Borkar also said that mental and physical health is an integral part of a student.
The high court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by child rights activist Shobha Panchamukh, who raised concern over the rising trend of suicide among students.
The petition has requested the High Court to direct the Mumbai University to issue a circular to all affiliated/associated colleges to appoint counsellors to deal with the mental health of students.
The PIL highlighted inadequate measures to prevent suicidal tendencies among higher education students.
“Such a situation is worrying and requires immediate action by all concerned parties,” the bench said.
The bench further said that under the Maharashtra Universities Act, the universities are legally bound to promote a healthy atmosphere in colleges, universities and institutions and to ensure the welfare of the students.
It said, “In our view, it is the duty of the university to take steps to create an environment in colleges and institutions where incidents of suicide do not take place.”
The bench directed the petitioner to make the University Grants Commission a respondent in the petition as many colleges are now becoming autonomous.
The high court asked the Maharashtra government, MU and the department of higher and technical education to file affidavits within three weeks.
If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Kooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratiksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maitri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)
(This story has not been edited by AyraNews24x7 staff and is published from syndicated news agency feeds.) PTI,
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