Shadnagar Gurukul students protest against principal’s harassment

In a shocking incident in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district, students of a government-run Gurukul girls’ school in Shadnagar staged a protest on the national highway, alleging harassment and humiliation by their principal, Shailaja. The students, claiming repeated mental abuse and mistreatment, said they were forced to take to the streets after their earlier complaints went unheard.

Students allege verbal abuse and pressure

According to the protesting students, the principal has been insulting them frequently and subjecting them to unnecessary pressure, leading to severe mental distress. Despite raising the issue with higher authorities several times, no action was taken, they said. Frustrated by official inaction, the students organized a sit-in protest demanding justice and intervention.

Police intervention and tension

Police rushed to the scene to disperse the protestors and attempted to detain them. Tension escalated when the students allegedly assaulted a constable in plain clothes, mistaking him for an outsider trying to intimidate them. A few students were later taken into custody and shifted to the local police station.

Public and activist outrage

The incident has sparked strong reactions from local residents and women’s rights organizations. “Instead of taking action against the accused principal, arresting the students is unacceptable,” activists said, criticizing the government’s handling of the situation. They pointed out that while the state claims to prioritize women’s safety and dignity, incidents like this expose the gap between promises and reality.

Parents of the students have urged the Education Department and the State Women’s Commission to launch an immediate inquiry and ensure justice for their children. Social groups have also questioned the government’s commitment to women’s welfare, asking, “Is this the justice girls receive under Indiramma’s rule?”

Principal denies allegations

Responding to the allegations, Principal Shailaja strongly denied any wrongdoing. She described the accusations as “completely baseless and politically motivated,” claiming that she merely enforced discipline for the welfare of the students.

“I have never discriminated against or harassed anyone. My actions were aimed only at maintaining discipline and academic standards,” she said. Shailaja further alleged that a few disgruntled staff members or outsiders may have instigated the students to protest. She also stated that she had not received any formal complaint against her so far.