PIL In Bombay High Court Seeks Suicide Prevention Training Workshops For Students At Mumbai University, Cites Rising Suicide Rates

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the High Court of Bombay to direct the University of Mumbai to conduct suicide prevention training workshops for its students. The petition also seeks the appointment of at least two teachers from affiliated colleges to conduct these workshops.

Additionally, it seeks to direct the university to display the contact details and roles of college counsellors on the college website, notice boards, counselling rooms, admission prospectus and annual souvenirs.

A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Amit Borkar heard the PIL on Monday and ordered the State to file its reply to the same.

The PIL, filed by child rights activist Shobha Panchmukh, highlights the rising suicide rates training among students. It refers to the National Crime Records Bureau data showing an increase in student suicides in Maharashtra: 1487 in 2019, 1648 in 2020 and 1834 in 2021.

The petitioner points out that the Ministry of Human Resource Development's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 mandates the establishment of counselling systems in educational institutions for handling stress and emotional adjustments of students.

Despite the University of Mumbai (respondent no. 2) claiming to implement the NEP in its report 'University of Mumbai Implementation of National Education Policy 2020', the report fails to address the establishment of counselling systems for students, the petition states.

The petition further states that the University of Mumbai lacks a proper mechanism, plan and guidelines for its affiliated colleges to prevent and address student suicides. The University has no comprehensive approach or circulars for suicide prevention among students.

In view of the above, the petitioner seeks relief from the Court to direct the University of Mumbai to address mental health issues and promote awareness about mental well-being among students.

Case title: Shobha Panchmukh vs. The State of Maharashtra & Ors. (PIL/43/2024)

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