The pandemic has affected people in a way that it’s hard to overcome the repercussions . People have lost their jobs and sources of income which is in turn made their lives even more miserable. One such case that has jolted us is of Aishwarya Reddy who suffered a tragic end because of lockdown and the pandemic. A student of Delhi’s Lady Shri Ram College for Women died by suicide on November 2 at her hometown in Telangana, leaving a suicide note in which she spoke of the financial troubles. 

Brilliant Student ,Topper of a State Committed Sucide,because she was not able to pay for Mobile Data. ,She is not having Laptop For Proper Studies & Her Scholarship Amount Was Unpaid Due to Covid.
Modi Govt have money for Buying Plane ,but not for Students.#JusticeForAishwarya pic.twitter.com/6HDqf32Xer

— chetan (@chetan4_U) November 9, 2020

“No one is responsible for my death. I don't want to become a burden on the family. I can't live without studying, I was thinking about it and this [death] is the only way left for me,” the note read.

Who Is Aishwarya Reddy And Why She Suffered This Fate?

Aishwarya Reddy, a B Sc Mathematics (Honours) student, belonged to Shadnagar of Ranga Reddy district. She wanted to become an IAS and had come to the home after the lockdown announcement in March, but did not want to become a burden on her family. Aishwarya was the state Class 12 examination topper and secured a place in LSR. Aishwarya’s father said he took a loan of Rs 2 lakh after mortgaging their home.

She was also a recipient of the government’s ‘Inspire’ scholarship, offered by the Ministry of Science and Technology, but she wasn’t sure if she would get the full amount of the scholarship.

Things got worse when Aishwarya was asked to vacate her hostel in Delhi by October-end but after her request, she was again given a space to stay. The problematic part for her was also the online studies and she couldn’t afford a laptop. She was using her phone but that wasn’t enough.

Aishwarya’s father Srinivas Reddy opened his repair but had to shut it because of the lockdown. He told Indian Express, “I had to shut within a month due to the lockdown and although I reopened, the business has been slow. My daughter had returned home in February after the college closed. In October, she asked if I could buy her a laptop as online classes had started and she was finding it difficult to attend them on her phone. She said even a used laptop would do. I told her to wait for a few days. She did not ask again. A few days later, she mentioned that the scholarship amount she was supposed to receive was delayed.”

Asked Sonu Sood For Help

She also asked Sonu Sood for help as he had tweeted about his scholarship initiative for students. Aishwarya wrote an email to him on September 14, attaching her certificates as proof. “I don’t have a laptop and I am unable to do practical papers. I am afraid I may fail in these papers. Our family is completely in debt so there is no way to buy a laptop…I am not sure whether I will be able to complete my graduation,” the email read.

She took her life because nothing or no one came to assure her that things will be fine.

People Are Calling It A Murder And Not Suicide

People on Twitter have started demanding for her justice and they have also termed it a murder. People are blaming the government for not doing enough for education. Here’s how they reacted:

Daughter of a mechanic, Aishwarya scored 98.5% in 12th

Lockdown financial troubles meant she couldn't afford her education

Youth are dying as they can't afford a laptop & are not getting scholarships

PM is busy playing with 🦚 & 🦜#JusticeForAishwarya https://t.co/oiorEWSkHu

— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) November 9, 2020

A student is denied scholarship which she was to get in March.

Does our Govt want our illiteracy rate to go so far that it can bring shame to our Country??

Is the right to education only for the higher class??#JusticeForAishwarya pic.twitter.com/sGR6h9KfjT

— Praveen Kumar Hiremani (@PraveenKumarPH) November 9, 2020

Is there anything shameful and heartbreaking than this?
A student committed suicide just because she couldn't afford 'EDUCATION'.
It's not just one, there are thousands of #Aishwarya who either commit suicide or drop their study.#JusticeForAishwarya #betibachaobetipadhao pic.twitter.com/Ci64h8FyRi

— Ishika Bhardwaj (@ishika_bharad) November 9, 2020

This is very unfortunately for this country,where all are talking about youth and students but no one doing work for/with students.Govt. should atleast shame for this unfortunate act. Always Scholarship by govt never provide on time,all authority shameless

— Gd Choukhala (@gd_barmeri_jat) November 9, 2020

Is there anything shameful and heartbreaking than this?
A student committed suicide just because she couldn't afford 'EDUCATION'.
It's not just one, there are thousands of #Aishwarya who either commit suicide or drop their study.#JusticeForAishwarya #betibachaobetipadhao pic.twitter.com/Hlb5vcMg0j

— Erika Fernandes (@EricaFarnandis) November 9, 2020

It’s heartbreaking to see that Aishwarya had to go through this.

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