Raichur: A distressing case of child abuse has emerged from the Ramakrishna Ashram in Raichur, Karnataka, where a Class 3 student, Tarun Kumar, was allegedly subjected to severe physical abuse. The incident reportedly occurred after Kumar was accused of stealing a pen. According to his family, the young boy was beaten with firewood, tortured, and locked in a room for three days by the ashram’s in-charge, Venugopal, and his aides.
Details of the Incident
Tarun Kumar, who had been residing at the ashram due to his family’s financial constraints, was reportedly assaulted by two older boys and a teacher. The boy recounted his harrowing experience, stating, “Two older boys and a teacher hit me. They hit me with firewood, and when it broke, they used a bat. They also caused cuts on my body. They took me to Yagdir to beg for alms at the railway station, but I didn’t receive any money.” Kumar expressed his distress, emphasising that the severe treatment he endured was “all because of this one pen.”
The abuse left Kumar with multiple injuries, including severely swollen eyes. He has since been hospitalised and is undergoing medical treatment.
Family’s Account and Allegations
The boy’s family reported that Kumar had been staying at the ashram while his parents dealt with financial difficulties. The family alleges that the boy was accused of stealing a pen by his classmates, leading the ashram authorities to act with undue brutality. The abuse came to light when Kumar’s mother visited the ashram.
In her account, Kumar’s mother detailed the incident: “My son’s name is Tarun Kumar. He is in Class 3. My other son, Arun Kumar, is in the 5th grade. I left both of them at the ashram. When I went to visit them, my elder son, Arun, informed me about how Tarun was attacked and how his face was bruised.” She firmly denied that her son had stolen the pen, stating, “He just picked up a pen that had fallen and placed it elsewhere.”
According to her, another student had given Kumar the teacher’s pen, and when it was found with him, the teacher accused him of theft. The mother alleged that the harsh treatment was intended to prevent Kumar from becoming a thief in the future, further claiming, “The teacher tortured my son so badly that people say my son has been reborn. The teacher hit my child with two belts, blindfolded him, and tied his hands. The teacher also caused cuts on his legs and hands and beat him until midnight.”
Response and Legal Action
Sudarshan, a child rights activist, confirmed that the boy has been rescued and the matter has been reported to government authorities, including the Women and Child Welfare Ministry. An FIR has been lodged against the accused individuals.
This case has sparked significant concern regarding the treatment of children in institutional care and highlights the urgent need for stringent measures to protect vulnerable children from abuse and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.