The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi):The Supreme Court, on Friday, acknowledged the Uttar Pradesh government’s adherence to the Tata Institute of Social Studies (TISS)’s counseling recommendations for children involved in the Muzaffarnagar student slapping incident. Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan reviewed the public interest litigation filed by activist Tushar Gandhi, which sought a thorough investigation into the case where a primary school teacher coerced students into slapping their Muslim classmate, an event that sparked widespread outrage after being shared on social media in August 2023.
Previously criticized for non-compliance with directives concerning the victim’s school transfer and counseling for all children implicated, the State’s education department faced the Court’s ire. The appointment of TISS for counseling and its subsequent recommendations led to a stern mandate for the Uttar Pradesh government to implement these suggestions.
The Court learned from the state’s Additional Advocate General, Garima Prashad, that workshops, as recommended by TISS, are being executed and will continue until April 24. The issue of halted travel expense reimbursements for the victim’s family was also addressed, with Justice Oka insisting on the release of funds, hinting at collaboration with charitable organizations for financial aid.
The directive for the State to persist with the workshops until the specified date and to submit an affidavit detailing their execution reflects the Court’s commitment to addressing the broader issues highlighted in prior orders, particularly concerning the Right to Education Act’s implementation and the safeguarding of students’ rights against discrimination and harassment.
The Muzaffarnagar case, originating from a deeply troubling incident of communal discrimination and physical abuse, highlighted significant failures in upholding educational and societal norms. The Supreme Court’s ongoing scrutiny and directives serve not only to address the immediate concerns of the victim and other children involved but also to underscore the importance of a sensitive, inclusive, and lawful approach within educational institutions, reaffirming the necessity of protecting children’s rights and dignity in accordance with the Constitution and the Right to Education Act.