In the wake of the distressing incident in Uttar Pradeshs Muzaffarnagar where a Muslim student was slapped by his classmates under the order of their school teacher, education department officials have announced that the student will be offered admission to a government primary school, provided his family consents.The incident occurred at Neha Public School in Khabbupur village, sparking widespread condemnation. In response, the education department is facilitating the transfer of students from the school and considering the welfare of those affected.Muzaffarnagar Basic Shiksha Adhikari (Education Officer), Shubham Shukla, said, “The father of the boy who was slapped does not want his son to continue his studies there [Neha Public School]. The block education officer spoke to the boy, and he expressed his willingness to study in the government primary school in the village. On Monday, his enrolment will be done in the government school, provided his family is willing to do so.”➡️थानाक्षेत्र मंसूरपुर के ग्राम खुब्बापुर के स्कूल में अध्यापिका द्वारा एक छात्र की कक्षा के अन्य छात्रों से पिटाई कराने तथा धार्मिक टिप्पणी करने के सम्बन्ध में पुलिस अधीक्षक नगर श्री सत्यनारायण प्रजापत महोदय द्वारा दी गई बाईटः- pic.twitter.com/HuqOTLm0hb— MUZAFFARNAGAR POLICE (@muzafarnagarpol) August 25, 2023While the private school, Neha Public School, will remain operational, the education department is seeking clarification from the school regarding its affiliation. The school, which has 50 students, is currently affiliated with the basic education department of the Uttar Pradesh government.“The school has been asked to give in a month its clarification to the department regarding its affiliation. It has three teachers and runs classes from one to five,” Shukla said.BSA Shukla said that till the time when Neha Public School clarifies its affiliation, students who go there may wish to be transferred to government schools. “There is a government primary school in the village. Children who want to go there, they will be enrolled there. Students, who wish to continue study in the private school, can do so since they are already paying the fees. The formalities including transfer certificates [of the children] will be completed by the department, so that the parents do not face any additional burden,” he said.Notice sent to school, teacher booked in Muzaffarnagar incidentThe UP educational department has sent a notice to the school in connection with the incident, and an inquiry has been launched to ascertain the standards of teaching. “An inquiry has been done into Neha Public School in Shahpur, Muzaffarnagar and we have found that the school does not meet the regulatory standards and required criteria for certification. Thus we have sent a notice to the school and departmental action has been taken,” the BSA added.The situation unfolded when a teacher, Tripta Tyagi, reportedly ordered her students to slap a Muslim classmate for not completing his homework. The incident was captured on video and went viral, prompting outrage and legal action. Tyagi has been booked under IPC sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace). However, the sections are non-cognisable, which means that they are bailable and need a warrant before arrest.Amidst the controversy, Tyagi defended herself, claiming that the video had been tampered with and was shot by the boys uncle. She acknowledged her error in allowing the students classmates to slap him but attributed it to her physical limitations, stating she was unable to reach the student due to her disability.The affected students father expressed his desire for justice, stating that the incident had left his son depressed. “I have sent him to Meerut to a few relatives place to get him checked by a doctor. We want justice. We cant go anywhere. Where will we go If we dont get justice, we will die,” he added.
