Over 120 students at the Arulmigu Kanchi Ekambaranathar Higher Secondary School in Kilpauk, Chennai, were reportedly made to wait in the sun for over two hours ahead of a scheduled visit by Tamil Nadu HR&CE Minister Sekar Babu on Tuesday, 29 July 2025.
The students had gathered for a government-sponsored event to distribute bicycles, which was originally announced for 8:45 AM Minister Sekar Babu, however, arrived nearly two hours late after attending multiple other engagements, including the “Annakaramangal Athunnu” program linked to the Chief Minister’s birthday and a temple inspection at the Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore.
According to reports, the delay was further extended by the late arrival of the District Secretary, Chitrarasu, which pushed the event even further.
Eyewitnesses said students were made to stand on either side of the school campus awaiting the minister’s arrival. The lack of basic facilities such as seating or shade led to concerns over the students’ welfare amid the rising morning heat.
When questioned about the delay, Minister Sekar Babu told reporters that he had informed the organisers that he would be arriving only by 10:30 AM. He added that teachers had made the students wait ahead of time and that he had asked them to seat the students in the shade upon arrival. The minister also issued an apology, stating that he regretted any inconvenience caused to the students.
The school, which operates under the administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, hosted the event as part of a broader scheme to distribute bicycles to schoolchildren across the state.
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