THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
By Isha Mittal
We often come across casual remarks such as, “Look where that fat girl goes,” “Look at her skirt,” or “Look at his voice.” Dismissing these as harmless comments, many of us, intentionally or unintentionally, become part of such conversations. In the process, the psychology of the listener is often ignored. Unfortunately, their emotions are treated as insignificant, yet they are the ones who are blamed. When emotions remain unaddressed, silence can become overwhelming, and in some cases, it may even cost a life.
Think back to the Azamgarh suicide case, in which a 17-year-old girl jumped from the third floor of her school three years ago. Court proceedings initially alleged that the principal and teachers were responsible. Yet what actually happened and what drove her to take such a step remains unknown.
Sadly, little seems to have changed. Last year, a nine-year-old student at Neerja Modi School in Jaipur died by suicide . As the legal proceedings continue, even the parents remain uncertain about what happened that day. CCTV footage reportedly showed the child trying to express her concerns to her class teacher, who allegedly ignored her. It was also claimed that the child attempted to close the classroom door and isolate herself.
During conversations with the media, the parents said that a nine-year-old does not even understand the meaning of suicide and may have acted out of a desire to escape the situation, without intending to end her life. Further reports also suggested that the school staff remained silent, stating that they did not know what had happened.
Some argue that children today have become too sensitive, pointing out that earlier generations even experienced physical punishment. But the question is not whether children are becoming more sensitive. Psychology tells us that having emotions is natural. The real issue is whether we acknowledge those emotions, listen to someone who is being bullied, and help break their isolation, even when the trigger appears to be “just a simple sentence.”
The problem lies in how quickly we dismiss people as oversensitive. Ironically, we still do not know what truly happened in many of these cases or whether the victims were genuinely “too sensitive” or simply judged that way. Even if someone is highly sensitive, sensitivity does not merely mean getting hurt easily. It also means being deeply aware of others’ emotions, forming strong emotional connections, and responding with empathy. If there are people in the world who choose to bully, there can also be people who choose to listen. Sometimes, being heard is all that stands between silence and survival.
