The plight of Tanishq Jaiswal, a diabetic student, highlighted in these columns, has evoked shock and sympathy from different quarters. Many readers condemned the “unfair attitude” of St. Paul’s High School against the boy and demanded stern action.
Time to learn
“Shocking! I hope the education department takes action against the school. It is a shame that the school is steeped in bigotry and prejudice against diabetes. Surely the management needs to educate itself first about this disorder. The school should be ashamed of its behaviour. A big thanks for publishing the story,” remarked Mohan Narayanan on The Hindu website.
Another reader, Muhammed Iqbal, wondered how one could send children to such schools considering the mindset of teachers.
“My heart goes out for young Tanishq. I hope our sleeping government takes notice of this and brings an ordinance to prevent schools from disbanding students with non-contaminable diseases. Government should derecognize such schools,” said Ashok Chandrasekar.
Many like Sailender Reddy felt St. Paul’s was one of the best schools in Hyderabad, but “this is utterly disappointing”.
What can one comment on this level of high-handedness and insensitivity bordering on stupidity? Are they no legal remedies?” asked Tulasidhar Vankina on Facebook.
Meanwhile, A.P. Balala Hakkula Sangham strongly condemned the violation of Right to Education Act by Sudhakar Reddy, principal, St. Paul’s High School.
In a statement, Sangham president Achyuta Rao asked the District Education Officer to take action against the principal under the Right to Education Act and lodge a criminal complaint under the Juvenile Justice Act for stopping the child from taking medicine.
Diabetes is neither contagious nor malignant. If the boy is not allowed to take medicine, his health will deteriorate, he said.
