Twitter rises up against caste discrimination as cops investigate Dr. Payal Tadvi’s alleged suicide

Payal Tadvi's alleged suicide has sparked discussions on Twitter with users sharing their experiences and thoughts on caste discrimination.

On May 22, Dr Payal Tadvi, a post-graduate gynaecology student at Mumbai's Nair Hospital reportedly committed suicide. It has been alleged by her family that this was due to the constant harassment she faced at the hands of her seniors, at the core of which was her caste identity. The three accused in the case, Dr Ankita Khandelwal, Dr Hema Ahuja, and Dr Bhakti Mehere have been remanded in police custody. They are accused of harassing and passing casteist comments on Dr Payal Tadvi. Here's a glimpse into the different facets of how the Twitterverse reacted to the case.

Protest demonstrations in the city

Under the leadership of our President @milinddeora ji, @INCMumbai took the protest against #NairHospital’s Dean and the 3 Accused students to bring to Justice. #PayalTadvi, who was incited to commit suicide. pic.twitter.com/QkNA0L76S9

— Gurpreet Kaur Chadha (@GurpreetKChadha) May 28, 2019

Members from Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and several other groups protest outside #NairHospital where a second year PG student committed suicide on Wednesday ⁦@TOIMumbai⁩ #JusticeForPayal #DrPayalTadvi pic.twitter.com/C2Zstkfe4r

— Sumitra Deb Roy (@SumitraRoyTOI) May 27, 2019

Maharashtra Women commission takes action

Tribal Doctor suicide case - #Maharashtra State Women's Commission sends notice to Nayar Hospital Dean. The Commission has taken Suo Moto notice of the serious incident and has sought a report of the incident in 8 days.#JusticeForPayal #PayalTadvi pic.twitter.com/JHcgQ3Yvty

— Kamlesh Sutar (@kamleshsutar) May 27, 2019

People share experiences and react to caste discrimination

Dr. Payal Tadvi's suicide has been very triggering for me. Having experienced casteism at University, that was nowhere as explicit as in medical/engineering colleges, I couldn't imagine how I'd respond to it. (1/14)

— To explode or to implode, that is the question! (@Lawandemotions) May 27, 2019

These are the Shameless girls who harrassed & discriminated #PayalTadvi in name of caste and responsible for sucide of Payal. Arrest all immediately and put behind bars. #justicefordrpayal#JusticeForPayal pic.twitter.com/rEWM8Ec73F

— அன்பு?? (@anbu2089) May 29, 2019

Bullying to death has become norm. Whether schools or colleges. layered reasons, mostly in the past few instances caste and economic status. We are a horrible people. Also has anyone followed up on the Dehradun bullying accused? #PayalTadvi#suicide https://t.co/vMYXifSb8I

— Aparna Jain (@Aparna) May 29, 2019

Harassed and bullied to death? The culprits responsible for #PayalTadvi suicide deserves no sympathy. What is the point of them being educated when they can't even be human? #humanity #JusticeForPayal

— Ruma Sharma (@rumasharmaa) May 29, 2019

Three young uppercaste vixens drove a Dalit #PayalTadvi to suicide. Can you guess what party they root for? Go on, take a stab. And while you're at it, also take a stab at what one community polled the most votes for @narendramodi.

— Amit Schandillia (@AmitSchandillia) May 29, 2019

I think india is heading towards dual citizenship, where all upper caste people will have advantage in everything and underprivileged people of lower caste will have to fight hard to get their basic rights Now, people will realise the value of equal citizenship rights #PayalTadvi

— manish gangurde (@manishgangurde) May 29, 2019

#JusticeForDrPayal movement should happen across India. It should see to that not a single person should face these kinds of discrimination at places of work or education like #PayalTadvi or #RohitVemula had to experience.
If not, fuck this country which discriminates its people.

— ג׳יקוב | |یعقوب | ജേക്കബ് | Jacob (@Jacobji01) May 29, 2019

I am uploading few screen shots of the conversations that happen on a daily basis where doctors from reserved category are repeatedly addressed as " BEGGARS, UNDESERVING DOCTORS, QUACKS"#JusticeForDrPayal #PayalTadvi#JusticeForPayal pic.twitter.com/7EsW0DuOh4

— Yazhini PM (@yazhinisundaram) May 28, 2019

#PayalTadvi was driven to suicide after casteist slurs being thrown at her by her fellows Hema Ahuja, Antika Khandelwal and Bhakti Mehar.
I refuse to give these women the title of a “Dr.” for they killed one of their own.
Request MCI for a strict action.

Share #JusticeForPayal pic.twitter.com/4SuRsJivvk

— Isha Malik (@isha_malik1) May 27, 2019

Some took to questioning and discussing the caste aspect of the case

Because India is not as simplistic as you guys make it out to be, nor are you and your ilk custodians of our identities. So buzz off now.

— Shrabonti Bagchi (@Shrabonti) May 29, 2019

This is a common misconception and must be cleared. The two reserved categories — Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes — have nothing to do with religion. https://t.co/IDodG8quCr

— Tejas Harad (@h_tejas) May 29, 2019

It is sad that even in 2019, we are seeing cases of people committing suicide due to discrimination. It is scarier to think that this is being inflicted by some of the highly educated individuals of our society. We pray that Dr Payal Tadvi’s soul rests in peace and that we don’t encounter such cases in the future.