Nabarangpur: A war of words erupted between former MP Paradip Majhi and School and Mass Education Minister Nityanand Gond over the alleged sexual harassment of a 14-year-old tribal girl at a state-run residential school in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district, leading to the suspension of the headmaster on Saturday.
The Class VIII student filed the complaint at Patraput police outpost, alleging that the headmaster had sexually harassed girl students.
Majhi, who accompanied the family to the police station, criticised the Gond, demanding his resignation. “The girl had been enduring the harassment since April 15. But the entire administration has remained mum,” he said.
He further stated that several girls may have faced similar harassment but one had finally come forward. “The Minister must resign. If he cannot provide justice to a girl, how will he handle the welfare of ST and SCs?,” Majhi asked, referring to the additional portfolio of ST & SC Development which the Minister holds.
Minister Gond hit back, asserting that the government is committed to protecting students and taking strict action as per law against anyone found guilty. “Those who are demanding resignation are frustrated at their own failure,” he retorted.
According to the complaint, the headmaster, identified as Sukanta Sarangi, invited the victim and five other girl students to his room after school hours on April 15. He offered them ORS water, isolated the 14-year-old tribal girl by calling her aside, and touched her inappropriately. She managed to escape and left the hostel the following day.
Her family members initially approached the District Welfare Officer Rabindra Palaka, following which Sarangi was transferred to ensure an impartial inquiry and the school’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) was directed to submit a detailed report.
Dissatisfied with the initial administrative response that did not include legal action, they went to the police outpost and submitted the written complaint with the help of local BJD leader Pradeep Majhi. “Her family has filed a complaint of molestation. Since she is a minor, we are investigating it under the sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,” said Nabarangpur SDPO Krushna Chandra Bhatra.
Meanwhile, Sarangi was suspended with immediate effect on Saturday. “The internal complaints committee of the school was looking into the matter. Based on the recommendation of the school committee, the headmaster was suspended,” Palaka said.
The suspended headmaster has been directed to report to Umerkote block office during the pendency of the probe.
