Editor’s Note:
Parveen Kaur the 13yearold New Delhi school girl died last week in a coldblooded murder, which many thought was yet another self-immolation. In her dying declaration, she said two boys poured kerosene on her and set her on fire. What started as a unorganized agitation by students, showed signs of becoming organized criminal politics, Kaur a 7th grader at a govt school, is a school bus driver’s daughter, who had no idea of the implications of the Mandal report.
Praveen’s dying declaration to police, is self-explanatory.
Parveen; water…water.””
Police officer: “what happened, child?”
Parveen: (screams again) water… water.”
Police officer: “I’ve sent for water, dear, I’ve sent for water… here, take it. Now, tell me child
What happened? When did you go to school?”
Parveen: “(screams aloud) they burnt forcibly. They burnt me forcibly.”
Police officer: “tell the truth, Parveen.”
Parveen: “with me … (becomes incoherent).
Police officer: “would you recognize those boys?”
‘She fails to answer but after a pause says, “1718 year old boys. Police officer: Hindu or Sikh?”
Parveen: (groans) “Hindu,”
Then Kaur goes on to give a description of the attackers.
Praveen’s father: “tell me, child, what happened?”
Parveen: “they set me on fire. Ran away.” She kept reiterating that before lapsing into pain.
Police officer: “would you recognize them if we brought them to you?”
Praveen: “no (cries again).”
Police officer: “why did you come out?”
Praveen: “to drink water. (Screams again) I want to sleep.”
The girl died soon after.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 26, 1990
