Uttar Pradesh Technical Education Minister Ashish Patel has demanded the intervention of state Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh in the case of the beating of an education officer in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh last Tuesday, calling the ‘one-sided action wrong’.
He expressed support for Principal Brijendra Verma, the accused in the incident. State Minister and Apna Dal ( Sonelal) leader Patel, while sharing this information through social media on Friday, said that the Sitapur teacher incident is very unfortunate.
Verma, a hardworking, honest, and regular school attendee, was harassed to such an extent that he lost his temper. It is unfair to unilaterally blame the teacher based on a mere 20-second video clip, he mentioned.
Patel wrote that based on the review of all CCTV footage from the time Verma entered the BSA office until the end, strict action should be taken against whoever is found guilty. “What circumstances led a teacher to commit this act? The truth must be revealed.”
Patel stated that he had spoken with the Basic Education Minister in this regard. He assured him that the incident will be investigated impartially and strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty.
Last Tuesday, Principal Verma arrived at Sitapur BSA Akhilesh Pratap Singh’s office and after a brief conversation, he was seen taking off his belt and beating the latter. Office staff then arrived and apprehended Verma. A video of this incident later surfaced.
Based on the BSA’s complaint, Verma was arrested and sent to jail. A female teacher’s name is also being taken in this controversy. It is claimed that the BSA was pressuring the female teacher to mark her attendance despite her absence. The female teacher has also been suspended.