Papa, I’m Not Feeling Well’: 19-Year-Old Student Dies by Suicide After Assault for Not Speaking Marathi on Train

A 19-year-old BSc student from Kalyan, Arnav Khaire, died by suicide on Tuesday after he was allegedly harassed and assaulted in a suburban train for speaking in Hindi instead of Marathi. His father, Jitendra Khaire, has filed a formal complaint with Kolsewadi Police, claiming that the harassment “pushed him” to take the extreme step.

Arnav, a first-year student at Kelkar College in Mulund, was travelling in a second-class compartment as his first-class season pass had expired. According to his father, the incident took place during his routine journey from Ambernath to Kalyan.

In his written complaint, based on a phone conversation with Arnav, Jitendra stated, “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.”

Amid the crowd, Arnav accidentally brushed against a commuter and requested in Hindi, “Please move ahead a little.” His father alleged that nearby passengers objected to him not speaking Marathi. “They asked why he wasn’t speaking Marathi, and whether he was ashamed of his own language.”

Arnav told his father, “I told them I am Marathi, but they still argued and beat me.” The attackers also tore his mask, leaving him frightened and deeply shaken. He got off at Thane, took another train, and continued to college, but the emotional impact stayed with him.

After finishing a practical exam, he called home, telling his father, “Papa, I am not feeling well…” Later, Arnav described the entire incident in detail over the phone. Jitendra assured him that he would report the matter to the police.

However, when Jitendra returned home that evening, he found the door locked. With the help of neighbours, he broke it open and discovered that Arnav had died by suicide. Doctors at Rukminibai Hospital declared him dead at 9.05 pm.

“The fear and mental stress caused by this incident pushed him towards suicide. I want a full investigation and justice for my son,” Jitendra said.

Kalyan Division assistant commissioner of police, Kalyanji Ghete, confirmed, “We have formed a team who is probing the case.”