Supreme Court To Hear Muzaffarnagar Slapping Incident Case On November 28

The Supreme Court of India is set to hear the case related to the slapping of a Muslim student in Muzaffarnagar on November 28. This case, which has drawn significant attention, was brought before the court by Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, who filed a petition regarding the incident.

State and Central Governments Face Scrutiny

During the court hearing, the lawyer representing the Uttar Pradesh government informed the bench that they had filed a reply to the case on November 20. However, the central government’s representative stated that their response was not ready yet. As a result, the court granted additional time to the central government to file its reply.

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This case has gained prominence due to the serious allegations against a school teacher in Muzaffarnagar. The incident involves a teacher allegedly instructing classmates to slap a Muslim student for not completing his homework, while also reportedly using communal slurs against the child.

Supreme Court Criticizes Uttar Pradesh Police Handling of Case

The Supreme Court had previously expressed strong disapproval of the way the Uttar Pradesh Police handled the case. In a verbal comment, the bench criticized the police for their actions, stating that they had “serious objections” to the handling of the matter. The court questioned the behavior of the teachers involved, asking, “Do teachers teach students in this way? Is this quality education?” The court further emphasize that the state should take responsibility for the incident, calling it a “serious issue” that should “shake the conscience of the state.”

Additionally, the court raised concerns over whether the school had appointed a counselor for the affected child, considering the emotional impact of the incident. The bench made it clear that the matter required a thorough investigation to understand the deeper implications.

Teacher’s Bail Plea Rejected by Special Court

In a related development, a special court in Muzaffarnagar recently rejected the anticipatory bail plea of the teacher accused in the case. Special Judge Alka Bharti, who presided over the case, ruled that the accused teacher failed to provide sufficient grounds for bail. The teacher faces serious charges, including communal abuse, for allegedly inciting other students to slap the victim.

Court Appoints TISS for Counseling Recommendations

To address the emotional trauma caused to the victim, the Supreme Court had earlier appointed the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai to suggest counseling methods for the affected child and his classmates. The court has emphasized the importance of emotional support for the student and a careful examination of the school’s role in the incident.

Ongoing Government Accountability

The court has also raised concerns over the Uttar Pradesh government’s failure to adhere to prior orders. It noted that the state, particularly the education department, had not followed various directives issued by the court in earlier proceedings. This case continues to highlight the importance of accountability in the education system and the need for swift action when such incidents of communal discrimination and violence occur in schools.