In a shocking allegation against Chennai Public School in Thirumazhisai, parents who sent their wards on a field trip have alleged that the students were forced to drink camel urine and beaten up when they refused.
The students of the school had gone to Chokhi Dhani in Sriperumbudur, a Rajasthani village set-up on the outskirts of Chennai, on November 28.
Speaking to TNM, one parent who spoke on the condition of anonymity narrated the ordeal that the students allegedly underwent.
“They had informed us about the field trip but it kept getting postponed due to rains. When it finally happened, no caretaker was taken along. During lunch time, students and teachers were sitting in two different dining halls. The students were locked in a room by a staff member of Chokhi Dhani. 22 teachers went along but not one was around to supervise 400 children who were made to sit in a small room,” said the parent who spoke on condition of anonymity.
When the children began to feel claustrophobic, they reportedly knocked on the door and the Chokhi Dhani staff member beat the children with a PVC pipe from the bathroom.
When the students saw a small opening in the room through which they could exit, they were reportedly chased as they attempted to run out.
Speaking to TNM, one student of the school alleged that they were hit on the head and ears. “They showed us a bottle and said it is camel urine and we will be made to drink. I refused. Then they hit me with an iron rod,” said the student. The parent says that the kids were offered urine as part of the 'experience', but they refused.
Much to the chagrin of the parents, the school authorities reportedly told them that they had ‘filled out the feedback from of Chokhi Dhani’ in response to their complaints. While two staff members have been arrested by the Vellavedu police, the parents say that the school has been unapologetic.
When TNM reached out to them, the school office said that neither the principal nor the correspondent were available, adding that they come to school only when there are meetings.
“They don’t plan on giving us answers. They are trying to divert attention by focussing on the upcoming Christmas celebrations. They are not allowing us to meet the principal. They are saying they are under stress. We are not even allowed inside the school campus to complain,” adds the parent.
Speaking to TNM, a senior police officer said that two employees of Chokhi Dhani, Om Prakash and Pankaj, had been arrested under the Indian Penal Code Section 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) as well as under provisions of the Child Welfare Act. “Child protection officers and representatives of the Education Department also came to investigate. The parents demanded a written letter stating that this kind of incident will not be repeated. The management has also written a statement to this effect and given it to us,” he said.