SC girl alleges harassment by school staff; probe ordered

Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Tohra, January 6

A scheduled caste (SC) girl, Veerpal Kaur, who is a student of Class XI at Government Senior Secondary School, Tohra, has alleged harassment at the hands of some of her schoolteachers.

Veerpal, a resident of Sahinwal village, alleged that schoolteachers and other staff made casteist remarks against her, besides mistreating her. She alleged that despite being the topper in the school, she was being forced to sit on last benches in the classroom.

She alleged that all of this was being done on the behest of some villagers after she refused to help a boy copy during the Class X examinations last year. The boy is a relative of the school clerk.

She alleged that despite being the topper in the school, her name was not mentioned in the school merit list even as schoolteachers honoured other students.

Veerpal had attempted suicide after being allegedly beaten up by school students. Her family had managed to save her. After this incident, the Principal informed the police and the police had arrested the accused students and the clerk. The victim girl alleged that she was told to take her complaint back and reach a compromise with the school staff if she wanted to pursue her career.

Meanwhile, a five-member team headed by District Education Officer, Kanwal Kumari, today visited the school to hold an inquiry. The officer said she would submit her report to the higher authorities after hearing both parties.

Principal Jagjit Singh said the student and her family were levelling baseless allegations. He said he had briefed the DEO about the case.

Had attempted suicide

• Veerpal Kaur alleged that she was being ill-treated as she had refused to help a boy copy during examinations. The boy is a relative of the school clerk
• She alleged that despite being a topper, her name was not mentioned in the school merit list 
• Veerpal had attempted suicide after being allegedly beaten up by school students. Thereafter, the police had arrested the accused students and the clerk.
• The girl alleged that she was being threatened to take her complaint back