A group of Dalit students were allegedly asked to clean a septic tank at a residential school in Karnataka’s Kolar district. The incident came to light after a teacher of the school took videos on a mobile phone that went viral on social media. The state administration has now suspended the principal, warden, and two teachers of the school, reported Hindustan Times.
The incident allegedly took place at Morarji Desai Residential School in Yaluvahalli in Malur taluk. Around five to six students of classes 7 to 9 were forced to enter and clean a septic tank. The incident took place in the presence of the principal and a teacher. Principal Bharathamma, teachers Muniyappa and Abhishek, and the hostel warden Manjunath have been suspended.
The Karnataka social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa has ordered a detailed investigation into the matter. “A responsible organisation can’t employ children for such work. It is highly condemnable. As soon as I came to know about this, I called the principal and suspended the principal, warden, and other officials,” Mahadevappa said in an order.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured stringent action against the culprits and has ordered a detailed report on the same. “I have come to know about the incident and I have sought a report. Will take strict action based on the report,” he said.
State Legal Services Authority chairman Sunil Hosmani visited the school and conducted an inspection. Executive director of Karnataka Residential Education Institutions Society (KRIES), Naveen Kumar Raju, and joint director of the social welfare department, R Srinivas also conducted inspections at the school.
Several students have also claimed harsh punishment by the school including kneeling outside the hostel at night, and physical abuse, the report added.
The school officials, however, said it was part of a cleanliness drive. But a teacher has confirmed the pit contained excrement, the report stated.
