A tragic incident has occurred in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, where a 12-year-old Class 6 student, Anshika Gaud, died almost a week after she was allegedly forced to perform 100 sit-ups as punishment for arriving late to school. The girl’s death has sparked outrage and prompted an official inquiry into the use of severe corporal punishment in the private school located in Sativali, Vasai area.

Anshika, a student at the private school, passed away in a Mumbai hospital on Friday night. Her family and local political groups claim that the excessive physical strain imposed by the teacher led directly to a rapid decline in her health.

Allegations of ‘Inhuman Punishment’

The alleged incident took place on November 8. According to members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Anshika and four other students were penalized for being late to school by being ordered to perform 100 sit-ups each.

The deceased girl’s mother leveled severe allegations against the teacher and the school administration, calling the penalty “inhuman punishment”:

• Weight Added to Punishment: The mother alleged that the teacher compounded the physical stress by making her daughter perform the sit-ups with her school bag still on her back.
• Rapid Health Deterioration: The mother stated that immediately following the punishment, Anshika “experienced severe pain in her neck and back, and could not get up.” She rushed to the school to confront the teacher, who reportedly justified the punishment by saying parents often complain that teachers do not discipline students despite paying fees.
• The Mother’s Conclusion: “I told the teacher that punishing the students does not mean forcing them to perform sit-ups with bags on their back. The teacher gave my daughter inhuman punishment, which led to her death.”

MNS leader Sachin More further claimed that Anshika had pre-existing health problems and should never have been subjected to such physical strain.

A teacher from the school offered a cautious response to the media, stating, “It is not known how many sit-ups this child had done. One really does not know if she died due to it or otherwise.”

Official Inquiry Launched

Authorities have officially launched an investigation into the matter:

• Investigation Status: Block Education Officer Pandurang Galange confirmed that an inquiry is being conducted into Anshika’s death. “The probe will reveal the exact cause of her death,” he stated.
• Legal Standing: Officials confirmed that no police complaint has been filed as yet, meaning the investigation is currently being led by the education department to determine administrative and academic culpability.

The case brings to the forefront the issue of corporal punishment, which is expressly prohibited in Indian schools under Section 17(1) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The Act bans all forms of physical punishment and mental harassment, making any contravention liable for disciplinary action against the offending person.

The official probe will focus on gathering medical evidence, including the autopsy report, to establish the definitive cause of death and cross-reference it with the mother’s allegations regarding the punishment and the girl’s health decline.

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