A heart-wrenching incident in Panskura, East Midnapore district of West Bengal, has left the entire country in shock. A 13-year-old seventh-grade student, Krishnendu Das, was so deeply hurt by false accusations of theft, public humiliation, and physical assault that he consumed pesticide and ended his life. The boy left behind a suicide note that read, “Mom, I didn’t steal.” This tragedy has not only raised questions about societal sensitivity but also sparked serious discussions about children’s mental health and the impact of public shaming.
Sweet Shop Owner Accused the Child of Stealing Chips
The incident began on Sunday afternoon at Gosaimber Bazaar in Panskura. According to locals, 13-year-old Krishnendu Das, a student of Bakulda High School, had gone to a sweet shop to buy chips. The shop belonged to a civic volunteer named Shubhankar Dikshit. At the time, no one was present at the shop. According to the family’s claim, Krishnendu picked up a few packets of chips that had fallen outside the shop due to the wind, intending to pay for them later. However, Shubhankar spotted him with the chips some distance away and chased after him.
Shubhankar accused the boy of theft and interrogated him. Out of fear, Krishnendu immediately handed over 20 rupees to the shopkeeper, which was more than the cost of three packets of chips (priced at 5 rupees each). Despite this, Shubhankar allegedly brought him back to the shop, physically assaulted him, and forced him to apologize publicly. Locals reported that several people were present during this ordeal, causing the boy to face profound humiliation.
Mother Scolded the Child in Front of Everyone
When Krishnendu’s mother learned about the incident, she took him back to the shop and scolded him in front of everyone. This behavior proved unbearable for the child, who could not endure the humiliation. Upon returning home, he consumed pesticide. As his condition deteriorated, he was rushed to Tamluk Medical College Hospital, but he passed away on Thursday.
‘Mom, I Didn’t Steal the Chips…’ the Child Wrote in His Suicide Note
Krishnendu’s suicide note is deeply poignant. In it, he wrote to his mother, “Ma, I didn’t steal.” This note stands as evidence of how deeply hurt the boy was, taking his own life in an attempt to prove his innocence. The incident has raised several questions: Was it justified to humiliate a young child to such an extent? Should the shopkeeper have reported the matter to the child’s parents or the police instead of beating and publicly shaming him?
People Demand Action Against the Shopkeeper
Following the incident, anger erupted in the local community and on social media. Many have demanded strict action against Shubhankar Dikshit. Social media users wrote that even if the child had taken the chips, there was no need to humiliate him in such a manner. Some also questioned the mother’s role, suggesting she should have trusted her child. The West Bengal Police have initiated an investigation, but Shubhankar Dikshit has not yet issued a statement or shared the CCTV footage from his shop.
