Girl students in the age group of 14-15 are so upset over the inflammatory remarks that they have been refusing to go to school for the past few days
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Female teachers of a government high school in Palani town in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu have been accused of making incendiary and derogatory remarks against Islam and Muslims.
A group of Muslim girls in the age group of 14-15 are so upset over the inflammatory remarks that they have been refusing to go to school for the past few days, The New Indian Express reported on Sunday.
It said the District Education Department has launched an inquiry headed by the District Education Officer (DEO) in the Palani Girls Government Higher Secondary School.
The parents of four girls gave a written complaint to the District Education Department on November 28 over the attitude of two English teachers.
Speaking to the newspaper, a parent said, “My 14-year-old daughter is studying in Class X in Palani Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Palani town. Many students from various religious denominations also study in the school. She, along with three girls from the Muslim community, formed a group and shared their notes for studying. The bond between them is strong and good. This has encouraged them to study well and coordinate with each other.”
He went on to say, “But, English teachers, Latha and Rajeswari, used to taunt them, sometimes for lame reasons. The girls didn’t take the issue seriously. Last week, the two teachers went overboard and passed derogatory remarks on our religion. Besides, they went on to issue vulgar statements laced with sexual innuendo. The girls were shocked by the words and informed their parents. After this happened several times, the girls are unable to tolerate these verbal assaults.”
Elaborating further, another parent, shared, “The girls are mentality disturbed by these words. Since they are in their teens, they are emotionally unable to take these statements. We too are very upset. The teachers used to ask questions like ‘Why are you people getting money from Pakistan to disturb us?’ and also used vulgar words like, ‘Are you four young girls intending to marry one man and share a one-bedroom?’ My daughter is refusing to go to school after these incidents. After intense persuasion, she stepped inside the school.”
These statements are mentally harassing and causing emotional distress among teens, according to the report.
A top officer in the Education Department (Dindigul) shared, “We have taken the matter seriously, and this cannot be tolerated. We received a complaint letter yesterday and we have ordered an inquiry. The officer will carry out an intense investigation on the issue. She will speak to all the female students separately and the teachers. Based on the fact-finding report severe action will be taken against the teachers involved.”
