This painful incident happened at Shri Hanumanth Vidya Mandir High School in Vasai, Maharashtra, which has created a sensation in the entire area. According to the information, 12-year-old Kajal (Anshika) Gaur, a student of class six, was about 10 minutes late in reaching school on Children’s Day. Because of this delay, the class teacher punished him by doing 100 sit-ups. It is alleged that during the punishment, Kajal was doing sit-ups along with her school bag, which made the punishment even more difficult.
Some other children in the class were also given the same punishment for coming late, but a scared Kajal did 100 sit-ups. Immediately after the punishment, Kajal started having severe pain in her back and waist. When she reached home, her health worsened. The family immediately took him to a private hospital in Vasai, from there he was referred to JJ Hospital in Mumbai as his condition worsened. Kajal died during treatment on 14 November, Children’s Day itself.
The family alleges that this death occurred due to inhuman punishment of the teacher. Kajal’s mother says that making her do 100 sit-ups with a bag proved to be extremely dangerous for the health of the innocent girl. The school manager has immediately removed teacher Mamta Tiwari from her job. At the same time, the family of the deceased girl has clearly denied the allegations of malnutrition and has demanded strict action against the guilty teacher and the school administration.
There is huge anger among parents and local people after the incident. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has warned that unless a criminal case is registered against the guilty teacher and the school administration, the school will not be allowed to open. Due to this incident, big questions have been raised on the education system in the entire area including Palghar and Vasai.
Police has started the investigation of the matter. Education Department officials also reached the school and took stock of the situation and have assured a detailed investigation of all the facts. It is noteworthy that corporal punishment is completely prohibited under the RTE (Right to Education) Act, hence this incident has raised questions not only on the responsibility of the school administration but on the entire education system.
This tragic incident has once again raised concern in the society against the harsh physical punishment given in the name of safety, sensitivity and discipline of children in schools. Public anger is continuously increasing demanding justice for the victim’s family and strict action against the culprits.
