Tamil Nadu Shocker: Menstruating Teenage Dalit Girl Made To Sit Outside Class To Write Her Exam In Coimbatore-OxBig News Network

Coimbatore Dalit Girl: A class 8 girl from the Scheduled Caste (Arunthathiyar), who recently began her puberty, was reportedly made to take her examination outside the classroom at a private matriculation school near Kinathukadavu Taluk in Coimbatore district on Wednesday.

According to media reports, the incident is of Swamy Chidbhavanda Matric Higher Secondary School in Senguttaipalayam village and came to light when the student informed her mother about the event. 

The young girl was made to sit outside her classroom during her examinations on April 7 and 9, following the beginning of her menstrual cycle, as per media reports. 

Reportedly, the girl’s mother visited the school during the examination on April 9 and saw her daughter sitting outside the classroom and recorded a video of the incident. The video then went viral on social media. 

As per a TOI report, the Coimbatore district collector, Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar, informed that the Coimbatore rural police have opened an inquiry into the matter. The school was also asked to submit a detailed report. 

Since the video went viral, the girl’s mother has approached the education authorities. Furthermore, the local villagers planned on meeting the Pollachi sub-collector to ask for strict action against the school authorities for the act of discrimination. 

As per IANS, in the video captured by her mother, the student said that the school principal had instructed her to sit outside of the classroom.

Furthermore, Director of Matriculation Schools, A. Palanisamy, confirmed that the Chief Educational Officer is conducting an inquiry into the incident. 

IANS quoted the Director as saying, “An explanation has been sought from the school management, and appropriate action will be taken after the report is received.”

Assistant Superintendent of Police Shristi Singh conducted a preliminary inquiry on Thursday, and said that the girl’s mother had requested the class teacher on April 6 a special seating arrangement for her daughter to ensure her comfort during her menstrual cycle, but was told to speak to the principal.

On April 7, the mother requested the principal for a separate arrangement for her daughter to prevent the risk of infection. After she left, the student was made to sit outside the classroom. 

As per IANS, that evening, the girl complained of leg pain and missed school the next day. She returned on Wednesday and faced the same thing.

Later, a relative noticed her sitting outside on the steps and informed the family. Her mother rushed to the school and recorded the video. While no formal police complaint has been lodged yet, the officials have assured a fair investigation once it is received.

The school’s correspondent has suspended the principal under Section 17 of the Right to Education Act, 2009, which prohibits physical or mental harassment of children.

(with IANS inputs)