Outrage in AP as Officer Punishes Students by Cutting Their Hair

A shocking incident at the Kasturba Gandhi Girls’ Vidyalaya (KGBV) Junior College Hostel in G. Madugula, Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district, Andhra Pradesh, has sparked widespread outrage. Sai Prasanna, the hostel’s Special Officer (SO), is under fire for cutting the hair of 18 girl students as a punishment for missing their morning pledge.

The Incident

The controversy unfolded on November 15, Kartika Purnami, when 23 second-year BiPC students reportedly missed their morning pledge due to the non-availability of water at the hostel. Enraged by their absence, SO Sai Prasanna:

• Initially made the 23 students stand in the sun as punishment.
• Later, during the lunch break, cut the hair of 18 students, citing their failure to maintain proper pleats as a breach of discipline.

Reactions from Parents and Student Unions

The incident came to light when parents confronted the special officer, who attempted to justify her actions. However, parents and student unions have strongly condemned the disciplinary measure, labeling it as:

• Degrading: A punishment method that humiliates young girls.
• Misplaced Priorities: Focusing on appearance rather than addressing infrastructure issues like water scarcity at the hostel.

Child Rights Commission Steps In

The AP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) has taken serious note of the incident and ordered an immediate investigation. Chairperson Kesali Apparao and member Gondu Sitaram issued the following directives:

• A detailed report from the ASR district collector.
• Recommendation of criminal action against those responsible.
• Condemnation of disciplinary measures that could lead to psychological trauma for the students.

Next Steps

District authorities have launched an inquiry, and senior officials have pledged accountability for the incident. Meanwhile, the focus is on improving hostel conditions to prevent such incidents in the future.

Public Response

The incident has stirred significant public outrage, with citizens and organizations questioning the ethics and effectiveness of such harsh punishments in educational settings.