Rohini Kalam, a 35-year-old international Jujitsu player and respected martial arts coach who represented India at the Asian Games, was found dead at her residence in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday. Her younger sister, Roshni, discovered her hanging in their family home in Arjun Nagar, Radhaganj, and immediately alerted other family members.
Rohini was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Preliminary police findings suggest suicide as the cause of death, and a case has been registered at the Bank Note Press police station, with authorities continuing their investigations. No suicide note was found at the scene.
Workplace Stress and Family Concerns
According to Roshni, Rohini had been under significant work-related stress in recent times. She was employed as a martial arts coach at a private school in Ashta, Madhya Pradesh, where she reportedly faced harassment from the school’s faculty, especially the principal.
Roshni revealed that Rohini seemed anxious during a phone call on the morning of her death and later locked herself in her room before the tragic incident. The family also mentioned that Rohini had declined marriage proposals and aspired to become an IPS officer, along with hoping to win the Vikram Award, which she had been striving for the past two years without success.
Additionally, Rohini had undergone surgery for a stomach lump about five months ago, affecting her health since then.
Rohini Kalam’s Athletic Journey
Rohini began practising Jujitsu in 2007 and embarked on her professional career in 2015. Over the years, she made a significant mark in Indian martial arts. She served as the General Secretary of the Ju-Jitsu Association of Madhya Pradesh and was the Women’s Athlete Commissioner for the Ju-Jitsu Association of India. Rohini represented India at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou and was the only Indian athlete selected for the World Games in Birmingham.
Her accolades include bronze medals in the 48 kg category at the Thailand Open Grand Prix 2022 and in the duo classic event at the 8th Asian Jujitsu Championship 2024 in Abu Dhabi. She had also qualified for the Combat Games in Saudi Arabia, inspiring many in the Indian sports fraternity.
In addition to her impressive list of achievements, Rohini Kalam actively worked to promote gender equity and inspired many young women to pursue martial arts, becoming a vocal advocate for women in sports. She also played a pivotal role in mentoring upcoming athletes, helping them navigate the challenges of competitive sports.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The untimely death of Rohini Kalam is deeply saddening and throws into sharp relief the critical importance of mental health awareness, especially for athletes and professionals under immense pressure. The Logical Indian stands for fostering empathy, dialogue, and supportive communities where individuals can openly seek help without fear of stigma or harassment.
Rohini’s case also underscores the urgent need to create respectful and safe working environments, free from abuse or intimidation.
