A controversy has erupted in Andhra Pradesh after a school principal cut the hair of several female students for reporting late for an assembly. The girls alleged that they were asked to stand in the sun by the principal before trimming their hair short. The students were threatened of consequences if they spoke about the punishment to anybody, news reports alleged.
The incident happened at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) of GM Kothuru village in G Madugula mandal of Andhra's Alluri Sitharama Raju district. The incident happened on November 12, Friday, but was only reported on Monday. The KGBV is a residential institution for students from weaker sections of society.
There was a special ‘Karthika Pournami’ assembly at the school on Friday and around 15 girls reached 10- to 15 minutes late, The Hindu said in a report. Unimpressed, they were asked to stand in the sun during the prayers before proceeding to the second part of the punishment during the lunch break. The hair of many of the girls was cut short despite their protests, The Hindu said. Some of them scrambled to different parts of the campus to escape the unjustified punishment. It was then the principal reportedly threatened them with severe consequences if they told anybody about the development, the daily added.
After the incident kicked up a row locally, the District Education Officer (DEO) reached the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya and handed a show-cause notice. The State Education Department will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, the DEO told the press. The local MLA also visited the school later the day.
Meanwhile, another report claimed that the teacher admitted to having cut the girls's hair as a disciplinary measure.