jharkhand-over-100-girl-students-forced-to-strip-in-school

More than 100 girl students of Class 10 at Carmel School in Dhanbad district, Jharkhand, were subjected to humiliation as they were forced to remove their shirts as punishment for celebrating Pen Day on Thursday, 9 January.

 

According to parents, the students were marking Pen Day by signing and writing good wishes on each other’s shirts on the last day of school.

 

However, Principal M Devshree disapproved of this act, stating that such behaviour could tarnish the school’s image if the students were seen leaving the campus with signed shirts. She reportedly compelled the girls to remove their shirts.

 

When the parents learned of the incident, they approached Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Madhavi Mishra, accompanied by Jharia MLA Ragini Singh. The parents alleged that around 100 girls were sent home wearing only blazers and without shirts.

 

They further claimed that the students were instructed to remove their shirts in the presence of male teachers on the school campus. Fearing the principal’s strictness, the students complied and removed their shirts on the premises.

 

Some students who had extra shirts with them avoided the situation, but approximately 100 girls left the school wearing only their blazers. The parents also alleged that the students’ mobile phones were confiscated to prevent them from recording the incident.

 

The parents have demanded action against the principal under the POCSO Act. They have urged the authorities to address this grave violation of students’ dignity.

 

Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Madhavi Mishra stated that the district administration has taken the matter very seriously. An investigation committee has been formed to probe the incident thoroughly.

 

“We will take appropriate action based on the findings of the committee. If required, an FIR will also be registered. The investigation team includes the sub-divisional officer, district education officer, social welfare officer, SDPO, and the in-charge of the local police station. They will visit the school and submit a report,” said Mishra.