Heartbreaking details have recently come to light regarding two separate incidents of corporal punishment inflicted upon nine-year-old boys in Karnataka. These alarming cases occurred in different regions – one in Bengaluru and another in Chitradurga – highlighting a disturbing pattern of abuse within educational institutions.
In a particularly distressing incident from Chitradurga district, a nine-year-old student at a residential school, managed by the Sri Guru Tipperudraswamy Temple in Naykanahatti, Challakere taluk, endured a brutal assault several months ago. His alleged transgression? Calling home without permission from his teacher. A disturbing video clip, which has since gone viral, clearly shows the Sanskrit teacher, T. Veeresh, repeatedly kicking the young boy as he desperately tries to apologize.
Following the widespread outrage caused by the viral video, the Sanskrit teacher, T. Veeresh, initially went into hiding. However, Chitradurga police swiftly acted on a complaint lodged by H. Gangadharappa, the temple’s executive officer, and arrested Veeresh in Kalaburagi. Furthermore, Deputy Commissioner T. Venkatesh has issued a notice to the temple’s executive officer, demanding an explanation for the failure to report such a serious incident to higher authorities promptly.
A Disturbing Act of ‘Discipline’ in Bengaluru
Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, another shocking case involved a Class 5 student from a private school in Sunkadakatte. He was reportedly subjected to physical abuse by the principal and teachers, who allegedly used a PVC pipe to assault him. The boy was then locked alone in a room, all purportedly as ‘punishment’ for being absent from school for two days.
This incident, which allegedly took place on October 14, prompted the boy’s mother, Divya Shankar, to file a complaint the very next day. Consequently, an FIR has been registered against Principal Rakesh Kumar and two teachers involved in the alleged assault.
The complaint states that the young victim has been a student at St. Mary’s Public School for three years.
It is alleged that Principal Rakesh Kumar, along with teachers Chandrika and Vijay Kumar (who also serves as the school’s secretary), were angered by the student’s two-day absence. They allegedly assaulted him in the name of ‘disciplining’ and further confined him alone in a room for several hours.
The boy’s parents discovered the extent of his injuries and the full account of the incident only after noticing his bruises and conducting an inquiry.
Shockingly, when confronted, the school management reportedly defended their actions, claiming it was all part of ‘disciplining’ the child. The police have since issued notices, compelling the accused individuals to appear for further questioning.