Shock and sorrow swept through Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district on Friday as news broke of a schoolteacher’s suicide, thrusting the mental health crisis among educators into the spotlight. Arvind Mulji Vadher, a 40-year-old primary school teacher and Booth Level Officer (BLO) from Devli village in Kodinar, ended his life early on November 21, 2025, after reportedly succumbing to the overwhelming pressure of SIR (Special Intensive Revision) duties. His death has sparked outrage among teachers’ unions, provoked political debate, and triggered a police investigation into the mounting stress faced by educators tasked with electoral responsibilities.
According to The New Indian Express, Arvind taught at Chhara Kanya Primary School in Kodinar and had been working diligently on SIR assignments. On the morning of his death, he was found at his home, having died by hanging. Police recovered a suicide note addressed to his wife, in which Arvind poured out his anguish: “I can’t do this SIR work anymore… I have been feeling constantly tired and mentally stressed for the last few days. Take care of yourself and our son. I love you both very much… but now I have no choice but to take this final step.” He also left instructions for his work documents to be handed over to the school.
The tragedy quickly reverberated through the district and beyond. As the news spread, teachers and BLOs across Gujarat voiced their grief and frustration, sharing Arvind’s note and expressing fears about their own mounting workloads. The incident was not isolated: just a day prior, another teacher and BLO, Rameshbhai Parmar, aged 50, died of a heart attack in his sleep in Kheda district, with colleagues suggesting that stress from similar duties played a role.
Teachers’ unions swiftly took action, arguing that Arvind’s death was the result of systemic administrative pressure. Vinod Barad, President of the District Primary School Teachers’ Association, described the mood among educators as one of collective shock. “Because of the maximum workload of SIR work, Arvindbhai has committed suicide. He was known as one of the best teachers in Kodinar. The pressure was unbearable,” Barad told The New Indian Express.
The All India Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh, led by state president Mitesh Bhatt, issued an even stronger response, demanding accountability and significant compensation for Arvind’s family. “Reading the suicide note of this Gir Somnath teacher clearly shows the extreme pressure put on teachers. Our union strongly opposes this system. We demand strict action against the responsible officer and one crore rupees for the teacher’s family.” Bhatt also revealed that the union had already petitioned the Chief Minister about the unsustainable burden of SIR work.
The situation escalated further when viral social media messages surfaced, displaying directives that instructed BLOs to work until midnight to complete SIR uploads. These messages, coupled with reports of technical glitches on the SIR portal, fueled anxiety among teachers already struggling with their on-ground responsibilities. Teachers requested the Collector to reduce the workload associated with SIR duties, highlighting the growing sense of desperation within the profession.
Gir Somnath Collector and District Election Officer N.V. Upadhyay, who oversees the BLOs and SIR progress, publicly expressed shock over Arvind’s death. “We are deeply concerned. Speaking personally about his performance in SIR, he was exceptional. Not a single complaint was ever received. He had already completed 43% of his work. He never informed us about feeling pressured,” Upadhyay stated, according to The New Indian Express. He also clarified the controversial midnight-work directive: “The instruction to work till midnight was a general directive from the Mamlatdar, meant for BLOs whose progress was below 20%. It was not targeted at Arvind. Due to the complexity of the process, we often have to work late. A general work pressure is there on all of us, not just BLOs.”
The State Election Commission acknowledged the gravity of the situation. Additional CEO Ashok Patel commented, “The department is monitoring the situation. This incident is deeply distressing. We have asked the Collector to submit a detailed report soon.” Meanwhile, a police investigation is underway to determine whether Arvind’s mental breakdown and subsequent suicide were the result of administrative pressure alone or a combination of factors.
Political reactions were swift and pointed. Gujarat Congress Chief Spokesperson Dr. Manish Doshi criticized the government for placing an excessive burden on teachers. “99 per cent of primary teachers have been deployed as BLOs for SIR. Workers from 14 other cadres, Anganwadi, Talati, GEB, Gram Sevaks, are supposed to be used, but only teachers are burdened. Schools with three or four teachers have all of them pulled out as BLOs. Threatening orders come from Mamlatdar offices, and the SIR site barely functions. Children’s education is suffering, and teachers are breaking down,” Doshi argued. He also cited another recent case in which a school principal died of a heart attack, allegedly due to the stress of BLO duties.
As the district mourns, the story of Arvind Vadher has become a rallying point for educators and unions demanding systemic change. Teachers’ groups are not only seeking a reduction in workload but also calling for mental health support and fair compensation. The viral spread of Arvind’s suicide note and the subsequent public outcry have forced the administration to reckon with the toll that election-related assignments are taking on teachers, who are often seen as the backbone of rural communities.
For many in Gujarat’s education sector, the tragedy has highlighted a fundamental dilemma: the balance between civic duty and personal well-being. BLOs play a crucial role in India’s electoral machinery, but when their responsibilities become overwhelming, the consequences can be devastating. The ongoing police investigation, coupled with demands for accountability from unions and political leaders, may ultimately prompt reforms in how such duties are assigned and managed.
In the meantime, the memory of Arvind Vadher—a dedicated, calm, and responsible teacher—serves as a stark reminder of the human cost behind administrative statistics and deadlines. As the community grapples with this loss, the hope is that his death will not be in vain, and that meaningful changes will follow to protect the mental health and dignity of teachers across the state.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, support is available. Call Sneha Foundation at 04424640050, Tele Manas at 14416 (available 24x7), or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences’ helpline, at 02225521111 (Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 10 pm).
