Guv orders police action in school caste abuse case

Taking cognisance of the allegations of caste-based discrimination and mental harassment levelled by two teachers of the Education Department against a school principal and a colleague, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has ordered the police to take immediate necessary action and ensure that those found guilty are brought to justice.

The matter pertains to a government model school in Sector 16, where a female teacher working under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, had accused a male science teacher of using casteist remark, issuing threats of dismissal and mentally harassing her. She also alleged that the school's principal failed to take her complaint seriously, prompting her to submit a representation to the UT Education Secretary, Prerna Puri.

The Education Department subsequently formed an inquiry committee to investigate the charges against both the teacher and the principal. However, the male teacher, who was appointed as in-charge of the school's Primary Wing in November 2024, has denied all allegations, calling them "baseless and motivated."

The Governor's intervention now places the matter under direct police scrutiny, adding urgency to the matter.

Officials said that appropriate disciplinary and legal action would follow based on the findings of the police investigations.