GURGAON: Thirty students from a government senior secondary school, along with their parents, have complained to the Gurgaon police commissioner that their teachers misbehaved with them and ill-treated them because of their low caste.

Several students and parents of Government Senior Secondary School Sarhaul , Gurgaon told Alok Mittal that their teachers have been discriminating against them in the school because they are from a lower caste and forced them to do menial work of cleaning. The police commissioner entrusted the issue with the ACP (headquarters) Usha Kundu, who promptly visited the school on Thursday to probe the matter.

“On Monday one teacher accused me of stealing Rs 70 from a girl student’s bag. When I protested he pulled me by the collar and threatened me with dire consequence if I didn’t return the money. If I hadn’t stolen, how could I return the money,” asked Kunal Swaran, a student of Class XI.

The students said they were not allowed to sit on the benches meant for students. “The teachers never allow us to enter the computer lab with shoes on while other students are allowed. When we protest they say you may come directly cleaning the toilets as you are from a low caste,” said Promode Rathore, another student of the school.

“Several times the teachers have forced us to clean the school building and act as chowkidars. They swore at us when we protested. One particular male teacher harasses us a lot,” said Vinay Singh, a student of Class XII. On Wednesday, when the parents and students went to meet the school authorities and lodge their protest against the teachers, the principal argued with them. The principal of the school told TOI, “there is only one student who is from a local area and he tried to rough up one teacher when the teachers tried to pacify them. He is a mischief-monger and has misbehaved with girl students several times. The parents support him for whatever reason. But we are going to write to higher authorities to take action against him.”

A girl student shared her experience with a male teacher. “When I went to plead on behalf of my brother one male teacher pointed at my dress and said, ‘you first wear a proper dress and then come to argue with me’. I was just wearing kurta-pyjama. I am deeply hurt,” said a sobbing Bharti Sarwan, a sister of a boy student. When contacted, Dr Manoj Kaushik, District Education officer, told TOI, “I am not aware of the said incidents and nobody has reported to me. If the teachers are behaving badly with students and ignoring their sentiments then it is very unfortunate. Students may commit mistakes but teachers should show them the right path. I will look into the matter.”