**Outrage in India over Death of Six-Year-Old Allegedly Slapped by Teacher**
Authorities in Andhra Pradesh, India, have initiated an investigation following the tragic death of a six-year-old boy, Pranay Tej, who reportedly collapsed and died after being slapped by his teacher in a classroom. The incident, which occurred in Visakhapatnam, has sparked significant public outcry regarding the issue of corporal punishment in schools across the country.
The distressing event was captured on security cameras within the school and later disseminated by local media outlets. The footage shows a female teacher grabbing the child by his clothing and then slapping him, leading to his collapse. The video has since gone viral, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for accountability.
Nara Lokesh, the Education and IT Minister of Andhra Pradesh, expressed his outrage on social media, stating, "As a father, I can’t get over what happened to little Pranay Tej. I cannot imagine the pain his parents are going through. Corporal punishment has no place in our schools. No child should ever be subjected to violence in the name of discipline." He assured the public that legal action would be taken against those responsible, including the school management.
Following the incident, police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Indian Penal Code based on a written complaint from Pranay's father. Inspector Pudi Vara Prasad confirmed that the body of the child was handed over to his parents after the completion of inquest and post-mortem procedures. He stated that the investigation would determine the exact cause of death once all relevant reports are received.
Pranay's father recounted that his son had been healthy and eager to attend school that morning. "In the morning around 8 am, my son woke up and said he wanted to go to school. He insisted on going to school," he told NDTV India, highlighting the shocking nature of the incident.
The public response has been swift, with relatives and community members gathering at the hospital to demand justice for the child. Many are calling for stricter enforcement of laws against corporal punishment, which, despite being officially banned in India, remains prevalent in many schools. A 2018 study conducted by the Indian NGO Agrasar found that approximately 80% of low-income school children in India experience corporal punishment from teachers.
Palla Srinivasa Rao, the Andhra Pradesh state president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), remarked that the government has responded appropriately to the incident. He noted that Minister Lokesh has formed a committee to investigate the matter further, promising that actions would be taken based on the committee's findings.
The incident has reignited discussions about the cultural acceptance of corporal punishment in Indian schools and the need for systemic change to protect children. Advocates for children's rights are urging for comprehensive reforms to ensure that educational environments are safe and nurturing, free from violence and abuse.
As the investigation unfolds, the case of Pranay Tej serves as a tragic reminder of the urgent need to address the issue of corporal punishment in educational institutions throughout India. The government's response and the actions taken in the coming weeks will be closely monitored by the public and child rights organizations alike.