Pariksha Pe Charcha: Shimla Dalit students made to sit separately? Himachal CM orders magisterial probe

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government on Monday ordered an inquiry in view of reports on the social media that some Dalit students of a government school in Kullu district were made to sit separately during Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s Pariksha Pe Charcha event held last week.

''We got this information and have asked for a report on it,''Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur said.

Thakur, while urging the media to have patience ''until the details come out'' said ''it's unfortunate if anything of that sort actually happened.''

PM Modi's highly-publicised even `Pariksha Par Charcha` was held in New Delhi on Friday and was telecast live across the country.

"I have taken cognizance of reports on the social media and ordered a magisterial inquiry,'' the Chief Minister said.

''This morning a team comprising officials of police, Education and Social Welfare Departments was set up and asked to visit the school," Kullu Deputy Commissioner Yunus Khan too said.

Khan said that the school is located in the interiors of the district, hence the team will return to district headquarters Kullu on Tuesday and would then submit the report.

The school headmaster, Rajan Bhardwaj, has been relieved from duty, Khan informed.

"Disciplinary action has already been initiated against the headmaster, and if required, criminal liability will be fixed against him," he added.

A handwritten anonymous complaint purportedly written by students is in circulation on social media, which alleges the gram panchayat of Chestha made arrangements for students to watch PM Modi`s event at the school management committee president's house.

The students said a teacher forced them to sit at a place outside the room used for keeping horses. 

A television was placed there.

In their complaint, they also alleged that they faced "caste discrimination" during mid-day meals in the school.

The Deputy Commissioner said that he has not received any complaint either from any student or any parent.

PM Modi had turned a teacher on February 16 to give lessons to students on how to beat exam-related stress and on how to succeed.

He addressed the students in person and connected with nearly "10 crore students, teachers and parents" nationally through various media.

(With IANS inputs)