Saturday, 17 August 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) Geeta Khanna has directed all the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) in the State to ensure that schools do not prohibit students from wearing Rakhi and Mehendi.
Talking to The Pioneer, Khanna expressed her concern over the increasing prevalence of depression among young adults, particularly school-going students, which she believes is often linked to feelings of loneliness.
Khanna added that she has noted several instances where relatives have sexually harmed women or girls. She explained that such occurrences contribute to individuals feeling disconnected from relationships and their culture. Further, she emphasised that private schools play are also responsible for disconnecting students from their culture at times, along with other related factors.
In view of overcoming such instances, Khanna emphasised the crucial role schools play in overcoming such instances. Therefore, she suggested that schools should refrain from imposing restrictions on cultural attire for students, as it significantly impacts the mental well-being of children. Additionally, she said that the commission recently issued a directive to all CEOs to ensure that schools do not prohibit students, regardless of gender, from participating in cultural practices such as wearing Rakhi and Mehendi during festivals like Rakshabandhan. She firmly stated that schools have no authority to interfere with students’ cultural practices and emphasised that any school found violating these guidelines would face severe consequences.
