Incident:
- A video went viral on social media showing students from the Morarji Desai Residential School in Malur taluk, Kolar district, Karnataka, being forced to clean a septic tank under the supervision of the school principal and a teacher.
Arrests:
- Following the outrage caused by the video, the police arrested the school principal, Bharatamma, and the teacher, Muniyappa, on December 18, 2023.
Reactions:
- The incident sparked widespread condemnation, with many people calling for strict action against the school officials.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered the arrest of the principal and teacher, emphasizing that such treatment of students is unacceptable.
Legality:
- Forcing students to clean septic tanks is a violation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. This act makes it illegal to employ or engage people in manual scavenging, which includes cleaning, removing, carrying, disposing of, or handling in any manner human excreta from dry latrines, sewers or septic tanks.
Current Status:
- The arrested principal and teacher are currently facing legal proceedings.
Additional Information:
- The video of the incident can be found on various social media platforms.
- You can find news articles about the incident on websites like The Indian Express, NDTV, and Hindustan Times.
It’s important to note that manual scavenging is a dehumanizing and dangerous practice, and it is illegal in India. The arrest of the school officials in this case sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
340800cookie-checkPrincipal and Teacher Arrested for Forcing Students to Clean Septic Tank in Karnataka