CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that highlighted the punishment of a Class 5 student in a private school in Sonipat district and ordered an inquiry.
It has been alleged the school principal in Ridana village inflicted humiliating and inhuman punishment on the minor for not completing homework.
The alleged punishment included making the student do 50 sit-ups, clean the classroom floor and the area outside the UKG class, and suffer public humiliation as UKG students were made to chant "shame-shame" at her.
Additionally, the principal allegedly threatened that if the student again failed to complete homework, her head would be shaved.
As a result, the student suffered severe mental trauma, became unable to attend school, and required psychological treatment.
The bench of the commission, comprising Chairperson Justice (retd) Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, emphasised that every child has a fundamental right to education in a safe, dignified, and nurturing environment.
In line with state's motto -- 'Bachpan Bachao, Shiksha Apnao' -- it is the duty of every educational institution to protect children from all forms of mental and physical abuse. A school should be a place of learning, encouragement, and personality development, not of fear, humiliation, or punishment that inflicts trauma.
The mental health of the minor is paramount, and such degrading conduct is completely antithetical to the purpose of education.
As per the commission's order, if the allegations are proven, such actions would constitute direct violations of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India.