Chandigarh’s air is thick with controversy as the Haryana Human Rights Commission launches an investigation into a government school in Hisar where female students faced public humiliation through forced squats and marches around the campus. The viral videos from Jagan village’s high school in Agroha block have exposed deep flaws in disciplinary measures, compelling the commission to intervene independently.
Three incriminating videos reached the district education authorities via email, triggering the formation of a special probe team by the DEO. This development underscores a disturbing trend where corporal punishment persists despite legal bans, sparking debates on child welfare in Indian schools.
Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldeep Jain and Deep Bhatia condemned the act, warning that verified claims would reveal profound assaults on students’ dignity and psychological well-being. Discipline must never cross into physical or emotional abuse, they asserted.
Such public degradation clashes directly with initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, eroding the very foundation of girl child empowerment. Educational institutions must prioritize nurturing spaces that build confidence, not fear. The long-term impact on students’ mental health could scar generations and shatter faith in public schooling.
Drawing from constitutional protections under Article 21, the commission views this as a direct affront to personal dignity. It has interrogated the SP on FIR status, probe progress, and Juvenile Justice Act relevance, setting a May 12 hearing date.
This case serves as a stark reminder: teachers and administrators share parental duties in child upbringing. Positive reinforcement, counseling, and understanding should replace outdated punitive tactics, ensuring schools remain sanctuaries of learning and growth.