Chandigarh: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that the Principal of a government school in Punjab’s Moga district sexually harassed several girl students by inappropriately touching them.
Reportedly, he used to threaten the students that he would fail them in the examination if they complained against him in this regard. The commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of human rights violation.
Therefore, it has issued notices to the state Chief Secretary and the Senior Superintendent of Police in Moga, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
According to the media report of July 23, the incident came to light when one of the victims informed her parents. The parents of the aggrieved girl called the village panchayat and reached the school to confront the Principal, who denied the allegation.
However, several other girl students came forward, making similar charges against him. The police were also called. Meanwhile, the Punjab School Education Department on Friday suspended the teacher posted at Government Middle School in Mothanwali village in Moga. The action was taken following directions from Education Minister Harjot Bains after a preliminary report submitted by the District Education Officer (Secondary).
Expressing concern over the incident, Bains said the state government accords the highest priority to the safety and wellbeing of every child studying in government schools.
“The safety, dignity and mental wellbeing of every student in Punjab’s government schools are non-negotiable. The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government has zero tolerance for any teacher who misuses authority to intimidate or harm children. A time-bound inquiry has been ordered, and the strictest action will be taken if the charges are proved,” the minister said in a statement here.
(IANS)
