The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has launched an investigation into allegations of caste-based discrimination against two teachers at Pathippaga Chemmal K Ganapathy Government Higher Secondary School in Kodambakkam. The accusations involve mistreatment of a class 10 student after he participated in a cultural event where he played the parai instrument.
In a video, the student revealed that after the event, his math and physical education teachers allegedly began discriminating against him. According to the student, the teachers suggested that he should work with his father, who is employed at a crematorium. They reportedly harassed him by checking his bag, asking him to remove his shirt before sitting, and even ordering him to leave the classroom.
Despite intervention from the headmaster, who allowed him to return to class due to upcoming exams, the teachers allegedly continued to send him out shortly thereafter.
P.N. Kubendran, general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Thani Dravidar Peravai, filed a complaint with the School Education Department as well as the Commissions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes at both the state and national levels. Kubendran claimed that the physical education teacher had threatened the headmaster when he raised the issue and that the teachers had used the student’s caste as a basis for verbal abuse. He called for a thorough investigation and appropriate action against the teachers.
Department sources indicated that the student stands by his statement, and further action will be taken after the inquiry is completed.
(With Inputs From TNIE)
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