The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken notice of a media report concerning an incident at a government school in Hisar district. In this incident at the Government High School in Jagan village, girl students were reportedly subjected to the “squat punishment” and paraded within the school premises. Three videos related to the incident were shared with the District Education Officer.
The District Education Officer has responded by setting up an inquiry committee to investigate the allegations seriously. The full Commission, led by Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, expressed grave concern, stating that if the allegations are true, it would constitute a serious violation of the dignity, safety, and psychological well-being of the girl students. The Commission emphasized that any form of physical or mental punishment in the name of discipline is unacceptable.
The Commission stressed the importance of educational institutions providing a safe and respectful environment for children. It noted that incidents like these not only impact the mental health of students but also undermine their trust in the education system. The Commission highlighted the need for child-centric disciplinary practices that focus on empathy, guidance, and non-violent correction.
The Haryana Human Rights Commission pointed out that the allegations suggest a violation of the fundamental human rights of the students, particularly their right to dignity as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution. The Commission has scheduled the next hearing on May 12 and has sought information from the Superintendent of Police regarding any complaints or FIRs, the status of the investigation, and the application of provisions under the Juvenile Justice Act.
