Coimbatore school principal suspended after Dalit girl made to write exam outside classroom

COIMBATORE: A Dalit girl studying in the eighth standard was allegedly subjected to caste discrimination as she was forbidden from entering her classroom to take the annual exam since she was menstruating.

The girl, belonging to the Arunthathiyar community (listed under Scheduled Caste), was made to sit on a staircase to appear for her examination at Swamy Chidbhavananda Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Senguttaipalayam village of Coimbatore.

On Friday, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said that the principal of the private school had been suspended after a departmental inquiry.

“A departmental inquiry was conducted against the private school. The school principal has been suspended. The oppression of children in any form cannot be tolerated. Dear student, do not sit alone! We are here. We will be here”, Anbil Mahesh posted on X.

தனியார் பள்ளி மீது துறை ரீதியான விசாரணை மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டது. பள்ளி முதல்வர் இடைநீக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

குழந்தைகள் மீதான ஒடுக்குமுறை எவ்வகையாயினும் பொறுத்துக்கொள்ள முடியாது. அன்பு மாணவி தனியாக அமரவில்லை! நாங்கள் இருக்கிறோம். இருப்போம்.

— Anbil Mahesh (@Anbil_Mahesh) April 10, 2025

The student had gone to school to write her annual examination on April 9, where she was allegedly not allowed to enter the classroom and was instead made to sit on the steps outside. The incident came to light after her mother and a relative visited the school and found the girl taking her examination on the staircase outside the classroom.

Shocked by what they witnessed, they asked about the treatment she received, but the student remained silent. Her relative recorded a video of the situation, drawing public outrage. When the mother asked the teachers present about the alleged discrimination, they replied, “That’s what happens here. If you want, enrol her in another school”.

The education department officials have urged Chief Minister MK Stalin to take immediate action. (ANI)