- By Shibra Siddiqui
- Thu, 10 Apr 2025 05:07 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A Class 8 student, who belongs to the Dalit community, was reportedly forced to take her exams outside the classroom because she was menstruating. The incident took place in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore.
A video of the girl sitting on the steps of the classroom, which was widely circulated on social media, sparked widespread outrage and prompted authorities to take action. The headmistress of the school has been suspended.
The video, which could not be independently verified, shows the school on the student’s answer sheet. The discriminatory incident took place at Swamy Chidbhavananda Matric Higher Secondary School in Senguttaipalayam.
The girl, in the video, can be heard saying that the principal asked her to sit outside the classroom. "The principal asked me to sit here and write the exam," she is heard talking to a woman, believed to be her mother. She added that this was not a first. Earlier, she was made to take an exam from another isolated spot.
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According to a report by NDTV, the school has claimed that the girl's mother wanted the girl to be made to sit outside during the exam. The School Education Department has sought an explanation from the management.
"The Director of Private School Education, Dr M Palanisami, is conducting an inquiry. If any wrongdoing is found, strict action will be taken," the report added, quoting an official.
A post from the minister, Anbil Mahesh, read: "A departmental inquiry was conducted against the private school. The school principal has been suspended. Oppression of children in any form cannot be tolerated. Dear student, do not sit alone! We are here. We will be here".