Several parents protested at the St Agnes` High School in Byculla on Monday, after more than 40 students were made to stand outside the school for seven hours as punishment for remaining absent last Thursday (July 9). The parents also approached the Nagpada police against the principal, Louisa D`Mello. A majority of the students who were allegedly punished, belong to the Dawoodi Bohra community, and didn`t report to school on July 9 due to Laylat al-Qadr, or the `Night of Power`, which holds a lot of significance for the Muslims as the blessed night, and is considered the most auspicious period to pray for forgiveness.

"Our children did not sleep the entire night on July 8 and couldn`t attend the school the next day. There was no reason for the principal to treat the children in such an insensitive manner by keeping them out for the entire day in the sun knowing that they were fasting," a parent of a class VIII student said. Parents of other students also came out in support of the protesting parents, saying this was not the first time that the school had punished the students in this manner.

"Last year too, a few students were not allowed to attend classes for a couple of hours. But this year, making them stand outside the school the entire day is outright cruelty," a parent said. Parents were especially infuriated as four of the students who were fasting for Ramzan, had to break their fast after they were made to stand outside the building from 8.

30 am to 3.30 pm. A class X student, Nameera Mansoori, said that she felt very weak and had to drink water.

"We went to the principal on July 10 to get our calendars signed after we missed school the previous day. But she asked us to wait outside. She did not allow us to attend classes the entire day and for three classes on Monday as well," she said.

Amid all the chaos, members of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, including MLA Waris Pathan, demanded an apology from the school authorities. The parents eventually approached the Nagpada police. "At least 21 parents have signed the complaint letter against the principal.

She must be punished for what she did to so many children," said Nameera`s mother, Ashfaq Mansoori. Senior Inspector Shivaji Kadam from Nagpada Police Station said that a first information report could be registered. "We are recording the parents` statements and if required, an FIR will be registered," he said.

The principal, D`Mello, could not be reached for comment, but the school issued a statement saying the students stood outside the building by their own choice as there wasn`t enough space in the corridor. The statement quoted the principal as saying that she does not accept the responsibility for the students breaking their fast. She, however, did admit that she did not pay attention to the girls` presence outside the building.

A teacher at the school, Olivia Golmes, defended the action against the student. "This is a matter of discipline. Students have been told about the rule that in case of an absence, they will have to get their calendar signed by the principal before attending class.

Since there were so many of them, they were asked to wait. It was wrong on our part to make them wait outside the school but we did not have any intention of hurting anyone." .



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