Arnav Khaire, a 19-year-old student at Kelkar College in Mulund, Maharashtra, died by suicide after an alleged assault in a local train. His father, Jitendra, has since suggested that the first-year BSc student succumbed to mental pressure after purportedly being harassed by fellow commuters on a Mumbai train for making a request in Hindi instead of Marathi.
As quoted in reports, his father’s (Jitendra) statement to the police reads: “On Tuesday, since Arnav’s first-class pass for the suburban train had expired, he purchased a general-class ticket and boarded a crowded general compartment at Kalyan railway station to go to college.”
The Kolsewadi Police has since registered an accidental death report and launched an investigation into the case.
What do we know about the Arnav Khaire case?
According to his father’s account, the 19-year-old was on his way to college in a local train when Tuesday’s alleged Mumbai incident shook him for the worse. Given how crowded the train was, Arnav is said to have brushed against a man. As a result, he then made a single-line request in Hindi, “Thoda aage badho” (please move a little ahead), which turned his life upside-down.
Some passengers are said to have engaged in a minor argument over the message, with the situation ultimately spiralling out of control over the language issue. Jitendra added that those people still allegedly beat his son after Arnav told them he was Marathi. He also shared that the other aggressive commuters questioned his son whether he was ashamed to speak his “own language,” as he chose to relay his request in Hindi instead.
Consequently, the unexpected development appeared to have left a jarring psychological mark on Khaire. In a statement to the police, his father said that four to five men purportedly assaulted Arnav over the language divide.
Overwhelmed by the unprecedented, the first-year Kelkar College student reportedly got off that Ambernath-Kalyan local train at Thane station. He is then said to have boarded another local to complete his journey to Mulund.
Mumbai student Arnav Khaire reached out to his father
After taking a practical exam, Arnav called his father to briefly inform him about what had allegedly happened on the train. “Papa, I am not feeling well…” he said during the phone call. The teen again rung up his dad after coming back home, this time sharing more details about the alleged language-fuelled argument.
His father tried his all to calm Arnav down on the phone, while also reassuring him that he would film a police complaint.
However, when Jitendra Khaire came back home from work, he found that a life-shattering tragedy had struck his family. He further told the police that he, along with some of his neighbours, had to break open the door because it had been locked from inside. In the room, Arnav is said to have hung himself using a dupatta.
Although the young Khaire was immediately taken to Rukminibai Hospital, doctors pronounced him dead at 9:05 pm.
Arnav Khaire’s suicide over fears tied to language dispute – Father speaks out
Amid the incessant surge of Marathi-Hindi clashes, Arnav’s death has sparked a renewed debate on the issue online. Jitendra Khaire, on the other hand, firmly demands justice for his son and asks for those behind the reported local train assault to be held accountable for their actions.
The college student’s father believes that his son took his own life due to the psychological stress the alleged assault had given him. In a statement to the Times of India, he said, “The fear and mental stress caused by the incident pushed him towards suicide. I want a full investigation and justice for my son.”
Under the current circumstances, efforts are being made to acquire CCTV footage through Railway Police’s help in hopes of progress in the probe.
DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or in distress contact the Vandrevala Foundation’s helpline (+91-9999666555) which is available in 11 languages including English and can be accessed via telephone or WhatsApp 24×7. You can also contact Fortis Hospital’s National Helpline number 91-8376804102 which is available 24×7. You can also contact the Government Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline ‘KIRAN’ at 18005990019 which is available 24×7.