Jharkhand: Over 100 Class 10 girls forced to remove their shirts as punishment for writing over them

In Dhanbad, Jharkhand, the principal of a private school allegedly instructed 80 girls to remove their shirts for writing messages on them during a ‘pen day’ celebration. The district administration has initiated an investigation. A committee including various district officials will probe the incident, with appropriate actions to follow based on their findings.

principal of a private school in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, has been accused of instructing 80 girls of class 10th to remove their shirts for writing messages on them during a ‘pen day’ celebration.

The incident occurred in Digwadih, Dhanbad, on Friday. The students had been writing farewell messages on each other’s shirts after their exams when the principal asked them to remove it, despite apologies. The girls were allegedly forced to return home in their blazers without shirts beneath.This has led the district administration to launch an inquiry, with a committee formed to investigate the matter.

The girls, who were marking the last day of school by writing good wishes on each other’s shirts, were reprimanded by Principal M. Devashree, who allegedly claimed that such behavior would harm the school’s reputation.She reportedly ordered the students to remove their shirts to avoid them leaving campus with “dirty” clothing.The incident has triggered outrage among parents. Many of them gathered at the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office on Saturday to file a formal complaint against the school management, as the school was closed on Friday.

According to parents, the students were made to remove their shirts on the school campus, in some cases in front of male teachers. “Scared by the principal’s behavior, the girls complied on the campus itself. When some hesitated, they were coerced. While about 20 students had spare shirts, over 100 girls were sent home wearing only blazers,” alleged a parent who requested anonymity.Another parent described the incident as “mental harassment.” “We were shocked to learn that our daughters were subjected to this humiliation. The management’s actions are indefensible. It was a form of mental assault,” said the parent, adding that mobile phones were confiscated from students to ensure the incident was not recorded.The incident has reportedly left several students traumatised, with many expressing reluctance to return to school.

The incident has reportedly left several students traumatised, with many expressing reluctance to return to school.

Jharia MLA Ragni Singh condemned the principal’s actions, describing them as “shameful” and “unfortunate.” “The Deputy Commissioner has assured a fair investigation, and strict action will be taken based on the findings,” she said.Despite repeated attempts by media personnel, the school principal was unavailable for comment.