80 Class 10 girls asked to remove shirts at Jharkhand school, probe ordered

A shocking incident at a private school in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, has sparked outrage as over 80 Class 10 girls were allegedly forced to remove their shirts as punishment for celebrating 'Pen Day' by writing messages on them.

In Short

• Jharkhand school accused of forcing 80 girls to remove shirts
• Committee set up to probe "shameful" incident in private school
• Dhanbad parents demand action against the principal for harassment

A school in Jharkhand has witnessed something that could not be expected in an institution for children. The incident took place in Dhanbad, where 80 girls of Class 10 were ordered by the principal of the school to remove their shirts for writing messages on them while celebrating 'Pen Day'. The girls were reportedly sent home wearing only their blazers, prompting outrage among parents and the community.

The incident occurred on January 10, 2025, in a school under the Jorapokhar police station area.

The students, celebrating their last day before board exams, wrote farewell messages on each other’s shirts. However, the principal objected and allegedly instructed the girls to remove their shirts despite their apologies.

PROBE ORDERED

Parents claim the students were humiliated and forced to return home without shirts beneath their blazers, leaving them distressed.

Parents reported the matter to Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Madhvi Mishra, who confirmed the seriousness of the allegations. “Guardians have filed complaints, and we have spoken to some of the affected students. A committee has been formed to investigate the matter,” she said.

The probe panel includes the sub-divisional magistrate, district education officer, district social welfare officer, and a sub-divisional police officer.

DC Mishra assured strict action based on the findings of the investigation.

WIDE OUTRAGE RECORDED BY PARENTS

Parents expressed concerns about the mental well-being of their daughters, citing the shame and trauma caused by the incident. “Our daughters are already under pressure due to board exams. This has added unnecessary stress. What if one of them had taken a drastic step?” a parent questioned.

Jharia MLA Ragini Singh joined the parents in their complaint, terming the incident "shameful and unfortunate." She demanded immediate action against the principal, including her arrest and resignation.

As the investigation proceeds, the incident has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for better safeguards to ensure the dignity and mental health of students in educational institutions.

(With PTI inputs)