A video clip showing a Hindu teacher ordering Hindu students to beat a seven-year-old Muslim classmate went viral and ignited outrage across India.
As reported by The Indian Express, this disturbing incident unfolded at Neha Public School in Khubbapur village, Muzaffarnagar, UP.
Here is the video! pic.twitter.com/5aRrz4JaXi
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The teacher, Tripta Tyagi, who is also the school’s owner, can be seen in the viral video instructing her students to slap the young Muslim boy one by one as he weeps. In the footage, she also makes Islamophobic remarks.
“I have declared that all Muslim children should go away,” the teacher is heard saying in the video. The victim’s father told reporters that he will not send his child back to the school and that a settlement has been reached with the school, where no formal complaint will be filed, and they will return the fees he has submitted.
The child’s mother, Rubina, stated that her son has been traumatized. She revealed that the teacher had a history of having students slapped by their classmates, and a similar incident had occurred with another student a few days prior.
The boy’s father believes that his son’s mistreatment is a result of the hate being spread against Muslims in the country.
In response to the incident, Muzaffarnagar Superintendent of Police, Satyanarayan Prajapat, stated that the police received a video showing a female teacher ordering students to beat a child for not learning multiplication tables. He also noted that there were objectionable comments in the video.
An investigation revealed that the teacher was making derogatory statements about Muslim students and their mothers. The basic education officer has been informed, and departmental action will be taken against the teacher.
Khatauli Circle Officer Dr. Ravi Shankar mentioned that the police are trying to persuade the victim’s father to file a formal complaint against the teacher. Once this is done, an FIR (First Information Report) can be filed, and further legal action will be taken.
Muzaffarnagar education officer Shubham Shukla stated that a letter was sent to the school, requesting a response regarding the incident. The school’s standards and adherence to government regulations will be thoroughly investigated.
India’s National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken note of the incident and intends to take legal action. They have also requested people not to share the video on social media.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a tweet, blamed India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the incident, calling it an attempt to sow the seeds of discrimination among innocent children.
Indian social activist Shabnam Hashmi called on the Indian president to ensure that the teacher is identified and action is taken against her. She described the incident as a national shame and called for the Supreme Court to take suo moto (on its own motion) action.
Duke University professor Timur Khan condemned the incident as cruel, inhumane, and illegal under Indian laws. He demanded that the teacher be dismissed and prosecuted for orchestrating violence against a child under her care.
