Muzaffarnagar School Incident: Supreme Court Claims Government's Approach As "Shocking"

Supreme Court called the approach of the Uttar Pradesh Government in the Muzaffarpur student slapping case  “shocking”.

The apex Court reprimands the State for not facilitating counselling to the student victim despite the court asked to do so. The Principal Secretary of Education Department was asked to be virtually present on December 11.

Muzaffarpur incident took place in August 2023,  where a viral video in which  primary school teacher, Tripta Tyagi is seen asking the students to slap their Muslim classmate for “not doing homework.” The footage shows students taking turns to slap their classmate where the seven-year-old boy stands crying in agony and humiliation; she keeps encouraging them to continue hitting hard. Besides, she also made some religious remark citing his Muslim identity.

The video created massive outrage in the social media and evoked reactions from political leaders from various fronts. Ms Tyagi, on the other hand, justified that act as “minor issue” as it was meant as “disciplining the child” and dismissed the communal intention behind it. She then added that classmates were asked to do it since she was “handicapped” and could not do so herself. Police booked Ms. Tyagi at the complaint of the boy”s family.

The top court stating the incident as “serious and worrying,” directed the UP government for a report from the District Superintendent of Police. The bench asked the State to record what steps were taken against the accused and what were taken to protect minor victim and his family. The Court also ordered professional counselling of the victim, and other students involved in the incident, and ensure facilities to the victim in terms of the Right to Education Act and Article 21A of the Constitution. Compliance reports have been also been asked by the bench. The court, then remarks that if allegation were true it should shock the conscience of the State, Live Mint reports.