Surajpur (Chhattisgarh) [India], December 23 (HBTV): Two teachers of a private school in Surajpur district have been accused of tying a student with a rope and hanging him from a tree as punishment for not completing homework. The incident reportedly took place at Hanswahini Vidya Mandir.
Vikas Khand Education Officer D C Lakda said the district administration took immediate note of the incident after it came to light. ‘As soon as the District Officer became aware of the incident, he directed me to visit the school and conduct an inquiry as he was in a meeting. I have come here to investigate the matter and will submit a report to the District Officer by 4 pm today. Appropriate action will be taken,’ he said.
Lakda said the school management and staff would be questioned as part of the inquiry. ‘I have seen the video of the incident and spoken to the head of the institution, who apologised. However, I made it clear that such an incident involving a child cannot be settled with a simple apology. An official complaint will be filed and the district administration will handle the matter,’ he added.
Hanswahini Vidya Mandir manager Subhash Shivhare said the two teachers involved had been suspended. ‘I have given orders to suspend them. Although I have not yet communicated in detail with all parties, this was described as an attempt to teach a lesson to the student by instilling fear,’ he said.
Shivhare further made controversial remarks while justifying corporal punishment. ‘Nowadays, whether through parents, family or school, children do not learn without fear. Children today are very difficult to handle, and punishment is necessary to teach discipline,’ he said.
The incident has drawn attention amid wider concerns over alleged harassment of students by teachers. A recent case in Delhi saw a 16-year-old Class 10 student allegedly die by suicide, triggering protests by students and parents demanding a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible.
According to an FIR registered by Delhi Police on November 18, the student had repeatedly complained to his parents about the behaviour of teachers, but no intervention followed.
(ANI)