In a tragic incident in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, a 16-year-old queer teen named Pranshu took his own life due to relentless homophobia and bullying. Pranshu, a Class 10 student and aspiring influencer with over 15,000 followers on Instagram, faced incessant trolling and homophobic slurs for dressing in sarees and wearing makeup.
The teen hanged himself using his mother’s dupatta on Tuesday when he was home alone. Police have seized his mobile phone, and investigations are underway to determine the motive behind his suicide. The Nagjhiri Police Station in-charge, Kamal Singh Gehlot, mentioned that details from Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook will be obtained to understand the circumstances leading to his death.
Pranshu, also known as Priyanshu Yadav, lived with his single mother in Ujjain. His parents had separated three years ago, and he resided with his mother, a medical representative. The 16-year-old, a promising makeup artist and content creator, often shared posts on Instagram showcasing him in various sarees and dresses with makeup, including nail polish and lipstick.
Also Read : Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett Shines as the First Plus-Size Model in Miss Universe History
His last post on November 12, featuring him in a red saree and traditional jewelry for Diwali, attracted homophobic comments from online trolls. The relentless bullying and abuse online reportedly led Pranshu to depression and, ultimately, to take his own life.
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community expressed grief on social media over the teen’s tragic suicide and called for accountability for those responsible for driving him to such a desperate state. The incident sheds light on the urgent need for addressing online bullying, homophobia, and ensuring the mental well-being of individuals facing discrimination based on their sexual orientation.
