Father Wanted Him to Be a Doctor, Son Killed Him: What Society Must Learn from the Lucknow Murder Case

The shocking incident in Lucknow, where a son allegedly murdered his father, has left the community in disbelief. It raises a pressing question for society: what are we doing wrong when relationships, which should last a lifetime, can fracture in a matter of moments?

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, between 2013 and 2023, student suicides in India increased by 65% over a decade. Academic pressure, combined with social, familial, and financial stress, has been a major contributing factor. However, the recent Lucknow case indicates that such tragedies go beyond mere academic pressure. It reflects a deeper failure in family communication and mental health support.

Suppressed Anger

Police reports reveal that the father, who ran a pathology lab, wanted his son to become a doctor and pressured him to clear the NEET examination. On the day of the crime, an argument escalated, and the 21-year-old allegedly shot his father. The subsequent actions—dismembering the body, disposing some parts outside, hiding others in a drum at home, intimidating his younger sister, and initially presenting a false story of disappearance or suicide to the police—indicate that this was not an act of impulsive rage.

Pressure and Parental Expectations

Many avoid discussing this issue openly. But how can the pressure to “become someone” create such deep resentment that it leads to such a horrifying act? Parents naturally want their children to succeed, but at times, unrecognized and mounting pressure can overwhelm them. In this case, several underlying factors likely contributed gradually to this tragic event, which ongoing investigations may uncover.

Broken Dreams

Examinations like NEET and JEE in India represent a pathway to hope for millions of students. Last year, over 23 lakh candidates registered for NEET, while 13.55 lakh registered for JEE Main 2026 Session-1. Only a small fraction secure admission to premier institutions. Year after year, news of students taking their own lives due to the stress of these exams emerges from coaching hubs and quota systems.

The Role of Family Dialogue

Another critical aspect of this incident is social and emotional support. The accused student had lost his mother, though relatives like uncles and aunts were present in the home. Consistent communication, understanding, and mental health support at home might have prevented the situation from escalating to such a horrifying degree.

This tragic case serves as a grim reminder: while academic achievement is important, nurturing mental well-being and open family dialogue is essential to prevent the pressure from turning into something irreversible.