Holy Cross School Denies Abuse Allegations in Student Dispute

The management of Holy Cross Higher Secondary School in Silchar has denied allegations of physical and mental abuse against a Class V student, stating that the claims are false and have damaged the reputation of the school and its teachers.

Addressing a press conference on Friday (July 17), the school authorities said the incident involved a minor altercation between two Class V students, Ayan Sharma and Ali Sarfraz, during the lunch break on 15 May. According to the school, the disagreement was resolved on the same day after the students were separated and counselled.

Principal Sister Teresa Martis said the school received a complaint through a WhatsApp message on 16 May. A meeting with the parents of both students was later held on 20 May to discuss the matter.

The teacher named in the complaint, Kumkum Nath, denied all allegations against her. She said statements from other students indicated that Ayan Sharma had struck first and Ali Sarfraz reacted afterwards. She added that both children later apologised to each other.

Speaking at the press conference, one of the teachers said it was a normal disagreement between two children during playtime and that such incidents are common as children grow up. She alleged that adults had turned a minor issue into a major controversy. The teacher said the staff treat students like their own children and provide them with motherly care and affection. She also said the teachers did not deserve the defamation they were facing and claimed that false information was being circulated about the school.

Another teacher stated that corporal punishment is not practised at Holy Cross School and said teachers never assault students. Male members of the teaching staff also addressed the media and repeated that the original incident was not as serious as it had been portrayed.

The school authorities said the institution follows a strict policy against corporal punishment. They claimed that no direct evidence or witness statements had been found to support the allegations against Kumkum Nath. They also said several teachers, former students and parents had expressed their support for the teacher.

The controversy comes after the Assam Human Rights Commission recently directed the Cachar district administration to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the allegations. The outcome of that inquiry is awaited.