The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked schools not to punish students if they wear Rakhi, Tilak, or Mehendi on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
In a letter to the Principal Secretaries of School Education Departments of all states and Union Territories (UTs), the NCPCR noted that over the years, it has been observed by the Commission through various news reports that children are subject to harassment and discrimination by the school teachers and other staff on account of the celebration of festivals.
“It has been noticed that schools do not allow children to wear rakhi or tilak or mehandi in schools during the festival of Raksha Bandhan and subject them to harassment, both physical and mental. It may be noted that corporal punishment is prohibited in schools under Section 17 of the RTE Act, 2009,” the NCPCR said.
“Therefore, it is requested to issue necessary directions to the concerned authorities and ensure that schools do not observe any such practice that may expose children to corporal punishment or discrimination,” it added.
