Snip lands Jammu and Kashmir school in trouble

A prestigious missionary school in Srinagar has run into trouble after chopping off students’ hair as a punishment for late arrival.

Police are investigating the incident after angry students lodged a complaint against Burn Hall School. “The case is being investigated. We will take the next course of action after finding out what went wrong,” said Adil Rashid, station house officer of Ram Munshi Bagh police station.

The issue has roused such passions that students in higher classes have started boycotting class. Even their families are angry with the school management.

“The management asked us to arrive half-an-hour ahead of time. Many of us came in, but some couldn’t because we did not get a bus in the morning. But they [school officials] did not listen to us, and snipped off our hair. We have been very scrupulous about maintaining school discipline but they are harassing us unnecessarily,” said one student. 

The school management says that students were flouting rules by wearing their hair long, arriving late for assembly and keeping mobile phones with them.

A notice issued by the principal to parents says, “The management of Burn Hall School informs the parents of higher secondary students that some miscreant students are disturbing the smooth functioning of school because of disciplinary measures initiated against them. These students cause disturbances by boycotting classes, raising slogans and also forcing others to do the same.” The note urges parents not to get carried away by rumours that are being circulated to instigate and misguide students.

“There are some people with vested interests who are directly involved in instigating and misguiding students. It is for the welfare of students that the school is taking disciplinary action, fining and frisking, which should not misinterpreted,” the notice said.