Palghar: In a tragic incident in Maharashtra’s Palghar, a Class 6 student of a private school died nearly a week after being forced to perform 100 sit-ups as punishment for arriving late to school, authorities said.
The deceased, 13-year-old Anshika Gaud, was a student at Shree Hanumant Vidya Mandir High School in Sativali, Vasai. She passed away on Friday night in a Mumbai hospital. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) alleged that Anshika and four other girls reached school late on November 18, after which they were subjected to 100 sit-ups as punishment. MNS leader Sachin More claimed the school punished Anshika despite knowing about her pre-existing health issues.
Speaking to the media, Anshika’s mother said her daughter suffered severe pain in her neck and lower back after the punishment, which was carried out while she had her school bag on her back. “After the punishment, she experienced severe pain and could not get up. Her health deteriorated rapidly following the inhuman treatment,” she said.
When she confronted the teacher at the school, Anshika’s mother said she was told the punishment was for being late, and justified by the teacher as a means to avoid parental complaints about students not learning despite paying fees. “I told the teacher that punishing students does not mean forcing them to do sit-ups with their school bags on their backs. The teacher’s inhuman punishment led to her death,” the mother added.
Block Education Officer Pandurang Galange confirmed that an inquiry has been initiated into Anshika’s death. A teacher at the school said, “It is not known how many sit-ups the child had to perform. We do not know whether her death was directly caused by this or other factors. The probe will reveal the exact cause.”
No police complaint has been registered so far. Meanwhile, MNS and NCP workers in the area protested, demanding strict action against the school.