An 11-year-old student in a Sonipat school was publicly subjected to humiliating punishment for not completing her homework. The Haryana Human Rights Commission has ordered an investigation into the matter, emphasizing the need for a safe and respectful environment for children.
Sonipat: A case involving an alleged humiliating punishment inflicted upon an 11-year-old fifth-grade student in a district school has shocked the public. The child was reportedly made to do 50 sit-ups, clean the classroom and school premises, and was publicly shamed by other children being made to chant "shame shame" – all for not completing her homework. The Haryana Human Rights Commission took cognizance of this incident and ordered a fair investigation into the matter.
Humiliating Punishment Given to the Child in School
According to sources, the school principal subjected the student to humiliating punishment for not completing her homework. The child was made to do sit-ups and was instructed to clean the classroom and the area outside the UKG section. Additionally, she was publicly shamed by having younger children utter derogatory words towards her.
This behavior caused deep psychological trauma to the student. Due to fear and stress, the child was unable to attend school and had to seek psychological treatment from a mental health specialist. Experts warned that such behavior can have long-lasting negative effects on children.
Haryana Human Rights Commission Takes Cognizance
Taking cognizance of the matter, the Haryana Human Rights Commission ordered that every child has the right to education in a safe and dignified environment. The commission was headed by Justice Lalit Batra, with judicial members Kuldeep Jain and Deep Bhatia also involved in the investigation.
The Commission clarified that it is the duty of every school and teacher to protect children from any form of mental and physical abuse. In line with Haryana's motto "Save Childhood, Embrace Education," it is the responsibility of educational institutions to ensure that children study in a safe environment.
Strict Action if Allegations are Proven
The Human Rights Commission stated that if these allegations are found to be true, it would constitute a direct violation of children's fundamental rights under the Constitution. Specifically, under Article 21, every child has the right to dignity and protection from inhumane treatment.
The Commission ordered a fair and detailed investigation into the matter. Statements will be recorded from the complainant, the school principal, teachers, other witnesses, and the psychologist treating the child. The objective of the investigation is to prevent any humiliating behavior against children and to establish guidelines to prevent it in the future.
District Education Officer Instructed to Submit Report
The Commission also instructed the District Education Officer of Sonipat to submit a detailed report on the matter to the Commission. This will not only facilitate the investigation but also help in formulating measures to ensure the safety and dignity of children in schools in the future.
The Commission's objective is to ensure that no child becomes a victim of humiliating behavior in educational institutions. For this purpose, the Commission is warning schools and teachers that any action involving physical or mental torture of children will be taken seriously, and appropriate legal action will be pursued.
