Class 6 Student Dies in Mumbai Hospital Week After Alleged Punishment, Palghar Authorities Launch Probe
Class 6 Student Dies in Mumbai Hospital Week After Alleged Punishment, Palghar Authorities Launch Probe
Anshika Gaud passed away at JJ Hospital on November 15, mother claims sit-ups with school bag caused severe pain, FIR registered after protests
A Class 6 student from a private school in Palghar’s Vasai area died at JJ Hospital in Mumbai on Friday night, nearly a week after she was allegedly made to perform sit-ups as punishment for arriving late to school. Authorities have launched an inquiry into the death.
Anshika Gaud, a student at Shree Hanumant Vidya Mandir in Sativali, Vasai East, passed away on November 15. According to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena members, Anshika and four other students were punished for reaching school late on November 8.
Mother’s allegations
The student’s mother alleged that her daughter died as a result of punishment given by her teacher, who made her perform sit-ups with her school bag on her back. She said her daughter complained of severe neck and back pain after returning home on November 8 and was unable to get up.
Talking to media persons, the mother said her child’s health condition deteriorated rapidly after the punishment. “After the punishment, she experienced severe pain in her neck and back, and could not get up,” she said.
The woman said that when she confronted the teacher at the school, she was told the students were punished for coming late. “The teacher justified the punishment, saying the parents otherwise accuse them of not teaching the students despite paying fees,” she stated.
“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,” she added.
Sachin More, an MNS leader from Vasai, claimed the student was punished despite having pre-existing health problems. Members of the organization visited the family and raised concerns about corporal punishment in schools and student safety.
A teacher from the school said it is unclear how many sit-ups the student had completed. “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,” the teacher stated.
The incident triggered massive protests on Saturday night in the Sativali area. When the student’s body was brought back to her neighborhood, hundreds of local residents gathered, demanding action against the school and the teacher involved.
Protesters insisted that the cremation would not proceed until a case was formally registered. The funeral took place late Saturday night only after police filed an FIR and assured the family of a thorough investigation.
An accidental death report has been registered at Waliv Police Station. Officials stated they are awaiting the post-mortem report before determining further action.
Block Education Officer Pandurang Galange confirmed that an inquiry is being conducted into the student’s death. Vasai Education Officer Sonali Matekar stated that a preliminary report confirmed several students had been made to do sit-ups by a teacher identified as Mamta Yadav.
Matekar said a committee would conduct a detailed inquiry based on which action will be taken. “Corporal punishment is prohibited under law and schools along with teachers have been made aware of it time and again,” she was quoted as saying.
The incident has sparked outrage among parents and local leaders, raising renewed concerns about corporal punishment in schools across Maharashtra and the need for strict enforcement of existing prohibitions against such practices.
