Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 9 April 1999

Petition challenging corporal punishment admitted in HC

The Delhi High court today admitted a petition which challenged corporal punishment in schools after the Delhi Government through its counsel said that it was in favour of retaining the provisions in the Delhi Education Act against such measures.

A division bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice Devinder Gupta and Justice K.S. Gupta said the court would like to examine the stand of the State Government. They fixed the next date of hearing on August 9.

The court was hearing a petition challenging the provision of corporal punishment in schools filed by the Parents Forum for Meaningful Education (PFME). It said that such measures in the Delhi Education Act were contrary to the National Education Policy (NEP) formulated by the Centre.

Counsel for the PFME said that the NEP formulated in 1986 had recommended complete abolition of corporal punishment. On the other hand, the counsel for the Delhi Government said that the State Government was sticking to its stand that there was need to discipline the students.

The PFME in its plea had sought direction to the Delhi Government to amend Section 37 of Delhi education rules which provide for certain forms of punishment to the students above 14 years of age, including detention during break, fine, expulsion and rustication. The Act also details the action which could attract such punishments.

These include gambling, use of drugs, rowdyism, act of violence and practising casteism and communalism.