Miffed 7-yr-old takes dad to cops for 'cheating' her out of toilet

A seven-year-old student from Ambur in Tamil Nadu took the unusual step of reporting her father to the police for failing to fufil his promise that he would construct a toilet for her if she stood first in class. Following her head-on approach to tackle open defecation, she has been appointed the local municipality’s brand ambassador for Swachh Bharat Mission. Additionally, the civic body will now construct the toilet for the family.

Accompanied by her mother, P Hanifa Zaara filed a complaint at the All Women’s Police Station that her father Esanullah had promised her a toilet if she ranked first, but despite meeting the set target two years in a row, he father failed to keep his promise. “I feel ashamed to defecate in the open. He cheated me by breaking his promise,” she told the police and demanded that he should give an assurance in writing or should be arrested.

On Wednesday, Ambur Municipality Commissioner S Parthasarathy told DNA that a certificate of honour appointing Zaara as the brand ambassador was presented to her at a function organised in her school. “To recognise her efforts and also to spread awareness, we decided to appoint the Class 2 student as a brand ambassador for the Swachh Bharat Mission,” he said, adding that the local body has engaged contractors to construct a toilet at the girl’s home under the mission and the corporate social responsibility funding. Under the SBM, the government will provide a financial assistance of Rs 8,000 to construct a toilet.

Zaara’s mother Mehareen said that as soon as she returned home from school on Monday, she insisted to be taken to the police station. “My husband had said that if she ever faces any trouble, she should approach the police. So, she insisted that she be taken to the police station. I tried to explain to her that her dad faced financial troubles because of which he didn’t fulfill his promise, but she was insistent,” she said.

After, police sub-inspector A Valarmathi called Hanifa’s father to the station. “Hanifa brought along 20 medals and certificates as proof of her academic excellence. We are surprised by her complaint, but we could understand her feelings,” she said.

On his part, Esanullah explained that he had twice submitted petitions to the Ambur municipality and sought financial aid for the toilet but that it wasn’t sanctioned. “If I had money, I would have constructed a toilet for her,” he said, adding that he was not angry with his daughter, instead, he was rather proud of her step.

SWACHH BHARAT BRAND AMBASSADOR

Following her head-on approach to tackle open defecation, she has been appointed the local municipality’s brand ambassador for Swachh Bharat Mission