The Indian sports fraternity has been shaken by the tragic death of Rohini Kalam, a national jujitsu champion and martial arts coach. She was found hanging at her home in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, on Friday morning. Though she was rushed to a nearby hospital, doctors declared her dead on arrival. Preliminary police reports suggest suicide, but a full investigation is underway to determine the circumstances behind her death.
According to police sources, Rohini worked as a martial arts coach at a private school in Arjun Nagar, Dewas. Her family has alleged that she had been facing mental harassment and humiliation at her workplace for several months. Tensions with colleagues and even the school principal reportedly made her professional life increasingly difficult. Investigators suspect that this ongoing stress might have driven her to take the extreme step.
Family members recounted that on the day of the incident, Rohini appeared calm and normal. She had tea, spoke on the phone for a while, and then went into her room, locking the door from inside. When she didn’t respond for a long time, her family broke open the door and found her hanging. Police confirmed that no suicide note was recovered from the scene.
Rohini’s father, a retired employee of the Bank Note Press, described her as the eldest of five siblings and “a determined and ambitious girl” who once dreamed of becoming an IPS officer. Her passion for sports, however, drew her into the world of martial arts. She began her training in 2007 and by 2015 had started representing India in international jujitsu tournaments, even winning medals at the Asian Jujitsu Championships.
Just a few months ago, Rohini had undergone surgery and was gradually returning to work. But according to her sister, persistent harassment at her workplace had left her mentally exhausted. Family members allege that she was often insulted by colleagues and that the work environment had become unbearable.
Her untimely death has triggered widespread outrage and sorrow across India’s sporting community. Many athletes and sports organizations have demanded a fair investigation into the harassment allegations and urged authorities to ensure a safer, more respectful environment for female athletes and coaches.
Police officials have confirmed that all evidence has been collected from the scene and that a post-mortem report will clarify the exact cause of death. The allegations of workplace harassment are also being thoroughly examined.
Rohini Kalam was more than just an athlete — she was a symbol of perseverance and courage, who represented India with pride on the international stage. Her sudden death has left behind a deep void and an urgent call for systemic change in how the country treats its sportswomen.
