Parashuram Janagiri (37), an assistant professor at the Agro Forestry Department, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur (UAS-R), allegedly committed suicide by consuming pesticide at his quarters on the university campus at about 1 a.m. on Friday. A native of Ranebennur town in Haveri district, he is survived by his wife, Radhika, and two children, Anupama (4) and Anuraga (2).
As news spread of his death, teaching, non-teaching staff, and hundreds of students, who boycotted classes, rushed to the deputy commissioner’s office and demanded stringent action against those who they alleged abetted the suicide. A suicide note found beside his body held two people — Ravi Patil, a research assistant (on contract basis), and B.H. Attanur, a field assistant (on the employee rolls) — both working under him, responsible for his death. It also mentioned the work pressure he was under and his helplessness in meeting expectations.
“He [Parashuram Janagiri] used to tell us of the harassment by his colleagues. He had even orally complained to his superiors, particularly, Director of Research, and the Vice-Chancellor,” an assistant professor, who wished to remain unnamed, told The Hindu .
According to UAS-R sources, Janagiri was assigned to teach at the university’s agricultural colleges at Kalaburagi, Bheemarayanagudi in Yadgir district and Raichur main campus, apart from heading a biofuel park at Thinthini on the Raichur-Yadgir border. “He casually brought the issue of harassment to my notice a week ago. But, he neither gave a written complaint nor explained the severity of the issue. However, we orally reprimanded and warned those who were allegedly harassing him,” said Prakash M. Salimath, VC of UAS-R. He also said work pressure was not specific to one person in the university.
Mr. Attanur is under suspension and Mr. Ravi Patil has been dismissed. Following a written complaint by Ms. Radhika, the Raichur West police registered a case against Mr. Ravi Patil and Mr. Attanur and arrested both them.
