TRICHY: A shocking incident at a government girls’ higher secondary school in Pudukkottai district has triggered public anger after students were allegedly made to perform squats in front of others for failing to submit documents on time.
The incident occurred on Monday at the Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Aranthangi, where students had been instructed to provide income, community, birth, and address certificates for admission confirmation and scholarship eligibility. However, many were unable to procure the documents promptly due to delays at government offices.
Instead of being offered support or given extensions, teachers allegedly forced the girls to do ‘thoppukaranam’ (a form of physical punishment involving squats with crossed arms) in front of staff and classmates. Students were also reportedly threatened with harsher punishments if they failed to submit the documents the following day.
Some students were said to be visibly distressed, with a few becoming unwell after the ordeal. The incident led to angry confrontations by parents, who demanded accountability and condemned the use of public punishment for bureaucratic delays beyond the children’s control.
Reacting to the incident, Pudukkottai Chief Educational Officer K Shanmugam told TOI, “We do not condone such punishments. A detailed explanation has been sought from the headmaster.”
An inquiry is underway as officials look into the conduct of the school staff involved.