The Allahabad High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Tripti Tyagi, a school teacher accused of instructing Class 2 students to slap their Muslim classmate, a communal incident that sparked national outrage. The incident, which took place in Khubbapur village, became widely known after a viral video surfaced in August 2023, showing Tyagi encouraging violence and making communal remarks. The case highlights deep concerns about communal divisions and the protection of children in educational settings.

Justice Deepak Verma, who presided over the case, denied Tyagi’s request for anticipatory bail, instructing her to surrender within two weeks and seek regular bail from a lower court. This decision upholds an earlier ruling by the lower court, which had rejected her plea on October 16. Kamran Zaidi, the lawyer representing the victim, confirmed the High Court’s ruling on November 23.

According to the prosecution, the police have filed a charge sheet under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:

• Section 323: Voluntarily causing hurt
• Section 504: Intentional insult to provoke a breach of peace
• Section 295A: Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings

Additionally, charges under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act, which deals with cruelty to children, have been applied.

The incident prompted a strong response from both state and national authorities. The Muzaffarnagar police registered a case, and the state’s education department issued a notice to the school involved. However, concerns about inadequate governmental action remain. On November 10, 2023, the Supreme Court criticized the state for not following its directive to provide counseling for the traumatized child. In January 2024, the apex court emphasized that the state’s failure to act decisively exacerbated the situation, underscoring the need for prompt intervention in communal cases involving minors.

The case has reignited debates about religious tolerance and child protection in India. Advocates and civil rights groups have called for stricter oversight in schools to prevent similar incidents, while legal experts stress the importance of swift justice to deter communal provocations in educational environments. The broader implications highlight the urgent need for policy reforms to safeguard children’s rights and foster inclusive educational practices.

Source: PTI

Also read: UP: Teacher arrested for instructing Muslim student to slap Hindu classmate in Sambhalpur