UP govt tells SC that children in student slap case are being provided with counselling facilities

New Delhi, March 1 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government has informed the Supreme Court about the arrangements made for counselling children involved in the viral incident where a school teacher instructed students to slap a classmate from a particular community. Additional Advocate General Garima Prasad stated that counselling workshops will continue till April 24, following the recommendations by Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

The bench, led by Justice Abhay S. Oka, was presented with the fresh compliance affidavit, with the matter set for further hearing on April 15. The state government has been asked to file an affidavit regarding the effective implementation of the Right to Education Act and the rules framed under it. The Supreme Court had previously criticized the UP government’s failure to provide counselling facilities, directing strict enforcement of TISS recommendations.

In a viral video, students were seen slapping a 7-year-old based on the teacher’s instructions, referring to his faith in a derogatory way. A PIL filed in the apex court demands a time-bound and independent investigation into the incident, along with the establishment of guidelines to prevent violence against students from religious minorities in schools. The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of following directives and ensuring the safety and well-being of all students.