HM suspended for forcing Dalit girls to clean toilet

HM S Kumareshwari was served a suspension order for discriminating students on caste terms. She was working in the Pudupalayam Panchayat Union Primary School near Narasimmanaickenpalayam.

Around 70 students are studying in the school and many are Dalits from Arunthathiar Colony. The HM has forced three Dalit girls studying in Class 5 to clean the school toilet.

When the girls initially refused, she forced them into the act by referring to their caste. She also abused the students based on their caste. The affected students informed their parents, who then visited the school and sought a clarification from the HM.  

Parents of one of the girls, accompanied by members of the SFI, also preferred a complaint with the Periyanaickenpalayam police on February 13, demanding action against the HM under the SC/ST Act. However, the police are yet to initiate any action as they claimed that inquiries are underway.

The irate parents of three girls then gave a complaint on the issue to District Collector K Rajamani on February 17. They claimed that their daughters have been refusing to go to school as they were being subjected to caste bias.

Meanwhile, District Educational Officer (in-charge) S Rajalakshmi placed the HM on suspension after a departmental inquiry confirmed the offence.