And only those who have been through this dark lane would nod in yes that it wrecks a person’s mental and physical health. It also becomes fatal, like in this case.
Currently, the country is talking about a heartbreaking story about a young ambitious boy who lost his life because of bullying in school for his sexuality.
Arvey Malhotra was unique, different from his peers, and had a varied take on life too. The class 10 student of DPS Greater Faridabad enjoyed wearing clothes that are termed as ‘feminine’, makeup was his way of expressing himself, jewelry was his first love and fashion was something he enjoyed a lot. However, him being out of the ordinary made him subjected to being called names in school.
View this post on Instagram
“The bullying started in 6th grade. Arvey would cry, ‘The boys call me a chakka.’ I was a teacher in the same school, DPS,” India Today quoted the single mother Aarti Malhotra of the 16-year-old.
“I’d complain to the authorities but they’d say, ‘He’s a nautanki!’ I’d tell him things would get better. He tried to be ‘manly’ by playing volleyball. But it wasn’t for him. He loved art & music; that made him happy. But at every step, he was mocked for being ‘feminine’,” she said.
By the time Arvey reached 9th grade, things worsened. He confessed to his mother that he was made to strip by a couple of boys in his class, reported The Indian Express.
“He came home panicking & breathing heavily he’d read a chapter about bullying which triggered him,” revealed Aarti. He confessed, ‘The boys in my class blindfolded me and made me strip. I can’t take it anymore.’ I was shocked; my son’s bullies became sexual assaulters.”
“The school refused to take action; they failed us. It broke my heart. We visited multiple therapists. He was diagnosed with depression & lost his interest in art. In 10th grade, he got diagnosed with dyslexia, studying got difficult for him; his boards were round the corner.”
View this post on Instagram
When Aarti would complain to the higher authorities of the school about Arvey being subjected to lewd comments and bullying, they would just brush the issue under the carpet accusing them of using advantage of his situation.
The continued harassment took a toll on him and forced him to commit suicide. Arvey Malhotra jumped off from the top floor of his residential building on February 24, 2022, in the absence of his mom.
View this post on Instagram
He had also left a suicide note saying that the school killed him, reports The Times Of India.
“This school has killed me, especially higher authorities. Tell ninna and bade papa about my sexuality and whatever happened with me. And please try to handle them. You are wonderful, strong, beautiful and amazing,” he wrote in his suicide letter.
Today, the heartbroken mom is knocking on all doors to get justice for her son who would have otherwise lived if the situation was handled well.
View this post on Instagram
Back in the day, one would laugh it off when a girl would be mocked for not being ‘ladylike’ or a boy would not come across as ‘manly’. Calling them ‘meetha’, enacting their walk and body language, would be the source of entertainment in friends group. And honestly, most of us have either been a spectator to this or the abuser. But seldom did we think of them being hurt and embarrassed in front of their friends.
On reading about Arvey’s story, I realized how educational institutes should be the ones to educate kids about gender choices, gender sensitivity, the LGBTQ+ community, and talk about the ill effects of casual bullying and cyberbullying. Moreover, such issues should be handled sensitively without blaming the kid and his sexual preference for it.
If you have ever been bullied then we suggest you open up about it to whoever makes you feel comfortable. Having a conversation and talking about it is the first step to fighting the battle against bullies.