Bhubaneshwar: In a surprise reveal, Odisha born Olympian Dutee Chand has claimed that during her stay at the Sports Hostel in Bhubaneswar from 2006-2008, she was the victim of rags by seniors.
Chand said this in response to a post on social media after a BJB Autonomous College student reportedly died by suicide at her hostel on Saturday, raising fears she was ending her life for rudeness.
Didis (seniors) forced me to massage their bodies and wash their clothes at the Sports Hostel, Chand said.
The seniors also made negative comments about her finances, the sprinter said, adding that her complaints never received the necessary attention from authorities.
When I complained to the hostel manager, I was scolded. It used to take a mental toll on me. I was helpless then, said the Olympian.
Chand’s allegation came as students and parents of BJB Autonomous College hold a demonstration outside the prestigious educational institution in the state’s capital to protest Saturday’s incident.
The 19-year-old student was found hanging in her room at the ladies’ hostel, and police found a suicide note where the woman said she was being mentally harassed by three seniors from the college.
The authorities of the Sports Hostel, Bhubaneswar, have yet to respond to Chand’s allegations.
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