JIND: After bravely accusing their principal of sexual harassment in a report filed with the deputy commissioner, 142 out of 148 schoolgirls from the district have succumbed to societal pressure and decided not to pursue the case further, leaving only six determined individuals to fight for justice.
Among the girls who maintained their statements recorded before the magistrate, one hails from the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe community. The Child Welfare Committee’s social investigation report, conducted by the Women and Child Welfare Department, revealed the fear experienced by the majority of the girls involved in the case.
The accused principal sought bail from a local court, which was denied. The report, based on visits to the girls and their families, questioned them about various aspects including pressure, allegations, harassment, trauma, and resilience.
An official involved in preparing the report stated, “Although most of the aggrieved girls were willing to come forward, their families were hesitant to pursue the case due to societal pressure and concerns about future marriage prospects. Even one of the strongest girls among them had to abandon her fight after her family objected, especially after her recent engagement.”
On August 31 last year, 15 school girls wrote to several authorities including the President, Prime Minister, national and state women’s commissions, Haryana governor, and state education minister regarding the principal’s alleged misconduct spanning from 2017 to 2023. The number of accusers increased to 60 after intervention from the women’s commission, and later rose to 142 when the deputy commissioner appointed a three-member committee to investigate.
Social activists have criticized the Jind police for failing to establish trust with the survivors. It took them 45 days since the first complaint on September 14 to take action against the principal, who has since been dismissed. The committee that compiled the report emphasized the need for counseling and support for the survivors to overcome societal pressures and fears associated with seeking justice.
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