Banda: A viral video showing uniformed schoolchildren loading sand with shovels and pans at a junior high school in Banda district has sparked fury, with allegations of teachers forcing minors into illegal manual labour.
The clip, from Achharaund Gram Panchayat, was filmed by local resident Mahendra (son of Rampal), whose children Riyansh and Riyansi attend the school. He claims students face discriminatory treatment alongside the labour.
“My children go to school to study, yet they are being made to perform manual labour there,” Mahendra said. “I humbly appeal to the government and the administration to investigate this matter and take the strictest possible action against those responsible.”
Social media erupted in condemnation, highlighting the ethical and legal violation—child labour for ages 6-12 is a criminal offence.
District Basic Education Officer Avyakt Ram Tiwari noted schools were closed Friday and the video was new to him. If such a video is indeed circulating, an enquiry will be conducted into the matter, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings, he assured.
(Inputs from IANS)