The principal of Government High School, Kullu was on Monday suspended for making students sit outside during the telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s televised programme, ‘Pariksha Par Charcha’ (discussion over examination).

Sources said the incident took place on 16 February in Chestha gram panchayat of Kullu district wherein arrangements were made for watching Modi’s programme for students.

The programme was reportedly organised at the residence of head of School Management Committee (SMC) and during the programme, some students, belong to Schedule Caste (SC) community were told to sit outside.

“Some of the students complained that a teacher allegedly asked the dalit students to sit outside the room where television was set-up to watch the programme,” sources said, adding the students watched the programme from a place which is used for keeping horses.

The students alleged that the teachers had even warned them to not leave the place until the programme is over.

“The students further alleged that caste discrimination has also met with dalit students during the mid-day meals and they are made to sit separately from other students, who belongs to upper caste,” sources
said.

After the incident came to light, the school principal admitted and tendered an apology, though the family members and social activists were not satisfied and demanded strict action against the guilty
teachers.

“The Education department has suspended the school principal for segregation of dalit students during PM’s programme to discuss exam related issues of students,” Education minister Suresh Bhardwaj told The Statesman.

Bhardwaj said action would be also taken against the head of School Management Committee at whose residence the programme was organised.

The minister also expressed concern over caste discrimination while serving mid-day meals and promised strict action against the guilty on the issue.

An inquiry committee comprising Deputy Director (Higher Education), Deputy Director (Elementary Education), District Project Officer, Integrated Child Development Services along with police officials today visited the school to probe the allegations.

The committee will submit its report to the government and further against the guilty officials would be taken on the basis of the report.