The death of a 12-year-old girl in India, following an alleged punishment of 100 sit-ups administered by her teacher for lateness, has provoked widespread anger and renewed scrutiny of physical discipline in educational institutions.
A Punishment with Fatal Consequences
Kajal Gond, a sixth-grade student at Shree Hanumant Vidya Mandir High School in Vasai, Maharashtra, was reportedly subjected to the severe physical exertion while still carrying her schoolbag. Following the punishment, the young girl began suffering from intense back pain.
Her condition deteriorated after she returned home, leading to her admission to a hospital in Nalasopara. As her health continued to decline, she was transferred to Mumbai's JJ Hospital, where she tragically died during treatment.
Her father, Sunil Gond, recounted her suffering, stating, 'She was crying in pain and kept saying she could not move her back.' He added, 'No child should be treated this way for being late.'
Community Outrage and Demands for Justice
The incident has ignited fury among local parents and residents, with reports emerging that several other students faced the same punishment for arriving late. 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 become involved, with spokesperson Rajesh Kadam warning that the school would remain closed until criminal charges are filed. 'Justice must be served, and those responsible must face the law,' Kadam asserted.
Broader Debate on Corporal Punishment
This tragic event has reignited a national conversation in India about the use of corporal punishment in schools. Although officially banned, the practice persists in many parts of the country.
This is not an isolated case. In a similar show of resistance, around 40 students at a primary school in Usilampatti boycotted classes in July to protest a teacher who used physical punishment against latecomers. Education advocates are now urgently calling for stricter enforcement of child protection laws and comprehensive training for teachers to prevent such tragedies.
