The incident, which took place under the pretext of instilling discipline, has sparked widespread outrage among parents and activists. The school authorities defended the move, claiming it was meant to teach the students about following the dress code, but the justification has been flatly rejected by educationists.

The State Education Department has taken a grim view of the incident and initiated a formal inquiry. Officials have sought a detailed explanation from the school administration regarding this humiliating act. Child rights activists have pointed out that many students come from underprivileged backgrounds and may not afford shoes, making such a punishment not only cruel but also insensitive to their economic condition.

Vikas Bhavan (Education Secretariat) sources indicated that such treatment violates the Right to Education Act and child protection laws. “Physical or mental harassment in the name of discipline will not be tolerated,” stated a senior official. Strict disciplinary action against the accused headmaster is expected following the investigation report. The incident has raised serious questions about the mental well-being of the affected children, who are reportedly traumatized by the public shaming.