Haryana Human Rights Commission Demands Report on Humiliation of School Girls
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Chandigarh, March 19 (NationPress) The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu action in response to a media report concerning an incident at a government school in Hisar district. Reports indicate that female students were allegedly subjected to a degrading 'squat punishment' and subsequently paraded within the school grounds.
This incident reportedly took place at the Government High School in Jagan village, Agroha block, where the girls endured this humiliating punishment.
Three videos of the event have emerged, forwarded via email to the District Education Officer's office.
In light of these serious allegations, the District Education Officer has formed an inquiry committee. The full Commission, which includes Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, remarked that, if proven true, this incident represents a severe infringement on the dignity, safety, and psychological health of the girl students.
The Commission firmly stated that any form of physical punishment or mental abuse disguised as discipline is completely intolerable. “Publicly degrading girls not only infringes on their human rights but also contradicts national initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,” they affirmed.
The Commission stressed that educational institutions bear the responsibility to ensure a safe, respectful, and empathetic environment for all students. “Such occurrences have detrimental effects on students' mental health and diminish their confidence in the educational system, raising concerns under international human rights frameworks.”
The rights body underscored that the duty of caring for children does not rest solely with parents but also with school administrators. “Disciplinary measures should be positive and child-centric, focusing on empathy, guidance, and non-violent correction.”
Initially, the allegations suggest a breach of the fundamental human rights of the students, particularly the right to dignity, which is a crucial aspect of Article 21 of the Constitution, as noted by the Commission.
The human rights organization has scheduled the next hearing for this case on May 12 and has inquired with the Superintendent of Police about any complaints or FIRs filed, the investigation's status, and the application of the Juvenile Justice Act provisions.