Tragic Death of Schoolgirl After Extreme Punishment
A 12-year-old girl has died after a teacher allegedly forced her to perform 100 sit-ups as punishment for arriving late to school. The incident, which occurred on November 8 in the Vasai area of Maharashtra, India, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice.
Kajal Gond, a sixth-grade student, was reportedly made to complete the strenuous physical exercise while wearing her heavy schoolbag. Other children who were also late faced similar punitive measures.
Rapidly Deteriorating Health and Hospitalisation
After returning home, Kajal began suffering from severe back pain. Her father, Sunil Gond, recounted her distress, stating, "She was crying in pain and kept saying she could not move her back."
Her condition worsened rapidly, leading to her initial hospitalisation in Nalasopara. She was later transferred to Mumbai’s JJ Hospital, where she tragically died during treatment. Her family firmly believes the punishment directly caused her health to deteriorate and her subsequent death.
Community Outcry and Demands for Justice
The tragic event has ignited fury among local residents and parents. Community activist Meena Patil condemned the act, declaring, "This is not discipline, it is cruelty. We send our children to school to learn, not to suffer."
The political party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken a strong stance, warning that the school will remain shut until criminal charges are filed. MNS spokesperson Rajesh Kadam insisted, "Justice must be served, and those responsible must face the law."
In the wake of this tragedy, education advocates are urgently calling for stricter enforcement of child protection laws and comprehensive training for teachers to prevent such incidents in the future.
