Approximately 65 students from a government residential school in Indore walked 15 kilometers to the Collectorate on Friday to file a complaint against the school's female principal. The students alleged that Principal Nikita Mehra forces them to express their problems only in English, while most students come from tribal and rural backgrounds and have difficulty speaking English.
In addition, the students alleged that the principal also asks them to perform tasks such as weeding and cleaning toilets on the school premises. The students demanded the removal of the principal and appealed to the administration for appropriate action. Given the seriousness of the matter, the district administration has formed a committee to investigate.
"If you don't know English, don't come to my office"
When the students of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Indore, reached the Collectorate on Friday, they had complaints in their hands and resentment in their eyes. The students say that the principal tells them, "If you don't know English, don't come to my chamber with your problems." One student said, "We are tribal, we have come from villages. We do not know how to speak English, so we are not able to express ourselves properly."
The students stated that such a language policy hurts their self-respect and hinders their studies.
"Weed the grass, clean the toilets"
According to the students, on the principal's instructions, they are told to weed the grass and even clean the toilets on the school premises. They described it as "insulting and contrary to the academic environment." The students clearly stated that they have refused to clean the toilets because this work is against their dignity.
Principal Denies Allegations
Meanwhile, Principal Nikita Mehra has completely denied all the allegations. She clarified that if the cleaning staff is on leave, the students may have to clean their own toilets. She cited the example of Mahatma Gandhi, saying that Gandhiji also used to clean his own toilet.
She also stated that there is a complaint box called 'Mann Ki Baat' in the school, but no such complaint has been registered in it.
The administration has said that the investigation committee will take appropriate action after confirming the students' allegations.
