Dalit Student in UP Allegedly Beaten by Teacher, School Official Over Broken Water Pipe
A shocking incident of alleged brutality has emerged from a private school in Uttar Pradesh's Mainpuri district, where a 14-year-old Dalit student was reportedly assaulted and abused by his class teacher and a school committee member. The Class VIII student was accused of breaking a water pipe on the school premises, leading to severe physical and verbal abuse.
Details of the Alleged Assault
The incident occurred on Friday in the Kurawali area of Mainpuri. According to the victim's statement, he went to drink water when he noticed that the pipe of the water tank was broken. Despite his pleas of innocence, he was immediately blamed for the damage. The boy claims he was beaten, subjected to casteist slurs, and threatened with death if he returned to the school. He suffered visible injury marks on his back and limbs and is now finding it difficult to walk.
Police Action and FIR Registration
The boy's elder brother filed a police complaint later that day, leading to the registration of an FIR on Sunday. SHO Lalit Bhati of the local police station confirmed that the FIR has been registered against school committee member Rajeev Verma and class teacher Sukhbir Singh. The charges include sections under the SC/ST Act and BNS sections 115-2 (voluntarily causing hurt), 352 (intentional insult designed to provoke breach of peace), and 351-3 (criminal intimidation).
Family's Claims and Accused's Denial
The victim's family has asserted that the pipe was actually damaged by another student and that their son was unfairly targeted. In response, school committee member Rajeev Verma dismissed the allegations, telling TOI, "This is a false case against me. I wasn't even there. The class teacher could be present. I'm not aware. I'll soon meet the police officers, and I hope there'll be a fair probe."
Broader Implications and Community Concerns
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about:
- Safety and protection of Dalit students in educational institutions
- Accountability of school authorities in cases of alleged abuse
- The effectiveness of legal mechanisms like the SC/ST Act in addressing caste-based discrimination
- The psychological impact on young victims of such traumatic experiences
Local authorities have assured a thorough investigation into the matter, while the community awaits justice for the young student whose education and well-being have been severely compromised.
