Rajasthan school denies rape survivor entry to class 12 exams

A student in Rajasthan's Ajmer district has lodged a complaint against her school, alleging that she was prohibited from participating in her class 12 board examinations due to being gang-raped last year.

According to her account, school authorities conveyed concerns that her presence would disrupt the "atmosphere".

Contrary to these claims, the private school in Ajmer has stated that they withheld the student's admit card because of her extended absence from classes spanning four months.

The issue came to light after the student sought assistance from a teacher at another school, who advised her to contact the child helpline number. The Ajmer Child Welfare Commission (CWC) has initiated an investigation and pledges to take appropriate action following due diligence.

Chairperson Anjali Sharma of the CWC confirmed engaging in discussions with the student, prioritizing the facilitation of her participation in the missed board exams. Sharma underscored their commitment to ensuring the student's rights are upheld while the investigation unfolds.

Recounting her ordeal, the student revealed that following the traumatic incident involving her uncle and two others, the school suggested she continue her studies from home to prevent any disruption to the school environment. Despite diligently preparing for her exams, she was stunned to learn upon attempting to collect her admit card that she was no longer enrolled at the institution.

Expressing regret over the situation, Anjali Sharma highlighted the student's academic merit, citing her impressive performance in the class 10 board exams where she scored 79%. She emphasized the potential repercussions of the school's actions, potentially leading to a setback in the student's academic journey.