The incident sparks outrage; Dalit rights activists condemn caste-based violence and demand action
NEW DELHI – In yet another incident of caste prejudice in Uttar Pradesh’s schools, Dalit students were allegedly thrashed by teachers for raising the slogan “Jai Bhim” during the morning assembly.
The teachers of a school in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh allegedly beat up Dalit students for saying “Jai Bhim” during the school prayer on August 26.
The incident happened in the intermediate college in Dhannoura Silver Nagar in Baghpat District. According to local sources some students shouted “Jai Shri Ram” in school assembly and in response a group of Dalit students shouted “Jai Bhim”, media reports reaching here said on Sunday.
The shout of “Jai Bhim” by Dalit students seemingly angered teachers who, reportedly dragged the five Dalit students to a room. The physical training instructor along with two other teachers reprimanded them. One student reportedly said, “Two teachers held our hands while another beat us with a stick. They also forced us to squat like chickens as punishment.”
A student also claimed that the school’s principal also abused them with casteist remarks and threatened to expel them from the school.
“We were humiliated for saying Jai Bhim. The principal even said we don’t deserve to study there,” alleged another student.
Not knowing any reasons for the teachers’ wrath, as saying ‘Jai Bhim’ should not invite any punishment, students approached the nearby police station to file a complaint against the school and the principal but officials refused to take cognizance of the matter. Unsuccessful in their attempt, the students then marched to the office of the Superintendent of Police to press for action.
Additional SP Narendra Pratap Singh later confirmed that a complaint has been received. “The SHO of Binouli has been directed to investigate the matter,” he said.
According to reports, District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) Raghvendra Singh denied receiving any complaint in this regard. “If we receive any complaint, we will conduct a thorough inquiry and necessary action will follow,” he said.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with several activists condemning the alleged caste-based violence.
“This is not just violence against children, it is an attack on Ambedkar’s ideals and on the dignity of Dalits,” said a local activist, adding that such incidents create a hostile atmosphere for marginalised students in educational spaces.
Dalit rights activists have demanded that the teachers be suspended immediately and action should be taken against them under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
