A 12-year-old girl in India has died after allegedly being forced to perform 100 sit-ups as punishment for arriving late to school.
The incident has ignited anger among parents, community members, and activists, raising serious questions about the use of corporal punishment in schools.
The Incident at Shree Hanumant Vidya Mandir
Kajal Gond, a sixth-grader at Shree Hanumant Vidya Mandir High School in Vasai, reportedly began experiencing severe back pain after completing the punishment while carrying her schoolbag.
Her condition worsened at home, prompting her family to rush her to Nalasopara hospital.
She was later transferred to Mumbai’s JJ Hospital, where she tragically passed away during treatment.
Family Speaks Out
Kajal’s father, Sunil Gond, described the ordeal: “She was crying in pain and kept saying she could not move her back.
No child should be treated this way for being late.”
The family insists that the punishment directly caused her health to deteriorate and that the school should be held accountable.
Community Demands Justice
Local residents and parents have called for strict action against both the teacher and the school administration.
Meena Patil, a community activist, said: “This is not discipline, it is cruelty.
We send our children to school to learn, not to suffer.”
Political Response
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a regional political party, warned that the school will remain closed until criminal charges are filed.
MNS spokesperson Rajesh Kadam emphasized: “Justice must be served, and those responsible must face the law.”
The Broader Debate Over Corporal Punishment
This heartbreaking incident has reignited a national conversation in India about corporal punishment in schools.
Although physical punishment is officially banned, reports indicate that it continues in practice.
Earlier this year, around 40 students at a primary school in Usilampatti boycotted classes in protest against a teacher who used similar disciplinary methods.
Calls for Stronger Protections
Education advocates are urging authorities to enforce child protection laws more strictly and provide better training for teachers to prevent future tragedies.
The death of Kajal Gond has highlighted the urgent need for safer, more supportive learning environments for children across India.
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