Govt school principal uses caste-based remarks against employee, booked

The Amritsar Rural Police have registered a case against the principal of a government school under charges of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, for allegedly using casteist remarks against a staff member.

The complainant, a resident of Ball Kalan village, alleged that the incident took place when he went to mark his attendance in the office of the school principal, Rekha Mahajan, at Government Senior Secondary School, Muradpura.

According to the complaint, several teachers were present in the principal’s office and an argument was underway among staff members. The victim reportedly asked the staff and the principal to end the arguing and continue with work. At this point, the principal allegedly began arguing with him and used caste-based derogatory words in the presence of other staff members.

The complainant further alleged that the principal humiliated him by using casteist remarks against him and claimed that she had previously “taught lessons” to people belonging to his community in other schools as well. He alleged that she stated that she had a clout with senior officials in her department and no one could take action against her.

Following a complaint and inquiry conducted by Deputy Superintendent of Police Yadvinder Singh of Ajnala subdivision, the police registered a case under Section 3(1) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Police officials said further investigation into the matter is underway.

Rekha Mahajan was earlier suspended on the directions of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, which had written to the Secretary, Punjab School Education Department, in this connection. The action was taken after a two-member committee constituted by the Education Department probed into the allegations and found Mahajan guilty of misconduct.