In a dramatic turn of events, students at Sarojini Naidu Girls’ School (Nutan School) in Bhopal staged a protest on Wednesday against the school administration. The students chanted slogans, broke into the school premises, and caused damage. During the protest, 15 students reportedly fainted.
The students have accused the school’s HR Manager, Varsha Jha, of making them do cleaning work and cut grass if they arrive late. Education department officials and Congress MLA Arif Masood reached the scene as tensions escalated. Eventually, HR Manager Varsha Jha was removed from the school.
Varsha Jha, a retired Army Captain, was appointed as the HR and Estate Manager by the Open School a month ago. During the protest, the angry students broke her nameplate and stomped on it. The students claimed that she was trying to enforce military-style rules and punishments in the school.
School Principal Malini Verma stated that the students’ anger was directed specifically at Varsha Jha and not at the other teachers. After some discussion, the students ended their protest.
Students Speak Out: Punished for Being Late
Kusum, one of the protesting students, shared her experience: “There is a teacher who makes us stand outside if we are even a minute late. She treats us badly and tells us not to argue. She harasses all the students. Sometimes, parents are also not allowed to enter the school.”
The students further alleged that if they arrive late, they are forced to sweep and mop the floors, pick up trash, and hand over their bangles, which are never returned. They are also threatened with transfer certificates if they are seen wandering around.
Parents React: Will Not Send Children to School if HR Manager Stays
Hearing about the situation, many parents rushed to the school. Komal’s mother recounted, “I got a call saying there was a scuffle at the school. A teacher was hitting students. I immediately went to the school and saw a huge crowd. My daughter was unwell and had fainted, so I took her to the hospital.”
She added, “Even though the HR Manager has been suspended, we will still ask her why she was mistreating our children. We are the parents, and we have the right to know what’s wrong. This has never happened at the school before. If she stays, we won’t send our children to school.”
Political Reactions: Congress Slams BJP Government
Former Union Minister Arun Yadav criticized the BJP government on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Under BJP rule, atrocities against girls, daughters, and women continue. Now, in Bhopal’s Sarojini Naidu Government Higher Secondary School, girls are being forced to clean if they arrive late. The girls had to protest to raise this issue. Is this the reality of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’?”
Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress President Mitendra Darshan Singh also released a video, saying, “The BJP government, which chants ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,’ should first learn to respect our daughters. If they can’t respect women, then in my eyes, the BJP’s standard regarding women is declining day by day. Some girls are sitting in protest outside the government school.”
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