New Delhi, April 15: The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Uttar Pradesh government, seeking clarification on the steps taken to prosecute a school teacher in Muzaffarnagar who allegedly encouraged students to repeatedly slap a seven-year-old Muslim boy while making communal remarks. This recent development follows a prior ruling by a Bench presided over by Justice A.S. Oka, which ensured that the State government enlisted the expertise of organizations such as HAQ, Muskan, and Childline to provide counseling to the affected child and his classmates in the aftermath of the distressing incident.
The court’s earlier order noted that the State has been making significant efforts to comply with its directives regarding the depth and effectiveness of the counseling sessions. It emphasized that these efforts should not be superficial but should genuinely address the emotional impact experienced by those involved in the incident.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court has consistently criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for its failure to ensure a safe educational environment with recognized schools and qualified teachers, as mandated by the Right to Education Act.
This latest development underscores the ongoing legal scrutiny and efforts to ensure justice and appropriate measures are taken in response to this disturbing incident within the education system. The Court’s intervention seeks to uphold the principles of child safety and the rights guaranteed under education laws.
