Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Sep 8: A school boy fell and has been hospitalised after he and his classmates were allegedly given corporal punishment for complaining about a teacher.

The incident took place at Vishw Vinayaka National English Medium School near Tekkatte.

It is said that students of class 4 had complained to principal Augustine that their teacher was not good and urged for a replacement. They had also staged a protest on September 6, it is learnt.

On Thursday September 7, the principal came to the class along with the teacher and asked the students about their complaint. The students told him that they were unhappy with the teacher, as they could not understand her teaching. They urged him to find a new teacher for them.

The principal, however, grew angry at this, it is alleged, and thrashed the students. He also told them to fall at the feet of the teacher and beg forgiveness. The frightened students did as they were told.

One of the students, 9-year-old Wasim (name changed), developed fever and chills after he came home from school. He also looked agitated, and when his worried parents asked if something was troubling him, he narrated the incident at the school.

Wasim was then admitted to Kundapur government hospital, where the doctors who examined him diagnosed that he had developed blood clots as a result of assault and would need a minor surgery.

Soon after the incident was reported, Kundapur sub-divisional officer Shilpa Nag and MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty visited the hospital and met the family.

Kota police have registered a case.

Speaking to reporters, a relative of the boy condemned the principal's action.

Kundapur BEO Ashok Kamath said, "We have asked the principal to furnish a report. He has already given details about the incident. The report will be submitted in the district CWC court for further action."