An inhumane incident has emerged from Ramakrishna Ashram in Raichur, Karnataka. The Ashram’s guide severely beat a boy for allegedly stealing a pen and confined him in a dark room for three days. The child suffered such a severe beating that his eyes were swollen. The victim, Tarun Kumar, a student at a government school, lived at the ashram due to his family's financial constraints. He took a pen while playing with his classmates, who then informed the ashram's guide.
Following the complaint, Guruji Venugopal of Ramakrishna Math brutally assaulted Tarun, confining him in a dark room for three days despite his young age. The incident was uncovered when Tarun's mother unexpectedly visited the ashram on Station Road, Raichur.
Currently, Tarun Kumar is under treatment at a private hospital, suffering multiple injuries with swollen eyes. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Raichur West Police Station, and the boy’s parents are deeply troubled by his condition.
Children’s activist Sudarshan commented, "We learned through the media and helpline number that a boy named Tarun was attacked by the Ramakrishna Ashram Swamiji. The boy has been rescued. I've discussed the incident with the police inspector and sub-inspector. I've informed the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare officers about it as well."
He further stated that an FIR has been lodged against the accused, and they will ensure the child's safety through the Child Helpline and the Department of Women and Child Welfare. They plan to formally write to the Child Welfare Officers and take appropriate action against the person responsible for the child’s mistreatment.
Sudarshan emphasized that the attacker will be punished according to the Juvenile Justice Act and relevant IPC sections. He added that the incident had a significant mental and physical impact on the child, and necessary action will be taken against the accused.
'When I Came to the Ashram...'
Tarun’s mother, Rupa, recounts, "My son's name is Tarun Kumar, he studies in third grade. My other son, Arun Kumar, is in fifth grade. I have left both at the ashram. When I visited them, my elder son Arun told me how Tarun was attacked, leading to injuries on his face."
She explained that the incident stemmed from merely a pen. The teacher accused my son of stealing it, and all this happened over just a pen. It wasn’t about the pen itself; he just picked it up from the ground and set it aside. The teacher compared this to stealing a million in the future.
The distressed mother continued, "The teacher even stated that he would give it in writing that my son would become a criminal. He also mentioned that even if he goes to jail after the complaint, he would not hesitate to do it again once released. Such is the extent to which the teacher stooped."
Rupa further described the situation, "On Sunday, another boy handed the teacher’s pen to my son because he didn’t have one. On Sunday when the pen was missed, it was found with my son, leading to this entire 'Ramayana' over a pen."
'Beaten with a Belt, Hands Tied, and Eyes Blinded...'
The concerned mother narrated, "My son was attacked on Sunday and we went to the ashram on Wednesday. The teacher doesn’t allow parents to meet their children, but when we visited, my elder son recounted the incident. The teacher even refused to let me see him but admitted to the abuse. They claimed that they would allow me to see my son after two weeks when he would be fine. They equated the pen theft to a million-rupee robbery."
She added that the teacher tortured her son so badly that people said he got a new life. The teacher beat her son with two belts, blindfolded his eyes, tied his hands, and cut his legs and hands, beating him until midnight. The teacher even summoned five more boys to beat him.
'They Made Me Beg...'
The victimized child, Tarun, explained, "Two senior boys and one teacher beat me. They used firewood initially and then a bat when it broke. I suffered injuries all over. The teacher took me begging. They took me to Yadgiri for three days and made me beg at the railway station. I got no money. I was beaten from 8:30 PM by the senior boys and the teacher, all over just a pen."
