Palakkad/Thiruvananthapuram: CPM functionary and former higher education minister K T Jaleel’s way of interaction with students at a function in Mannarkkad, Palakkad, on Sunday sparked a controversy. While general education minister N Samsudeen termed it “inappropriate”, Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has initiated suo motu proceedings against Jaleel.While speaking after inaugurating a programme to honour SSLC and Plus Two toppers from wards 19, 20 and 22 of the Mannarkkad municipality, Jaleel invited a student who scored high marks in Hindi onto the stage and asked him to write his parents’ names in the language.When the student made an error, Jaleel lightly held his ear. A video of the incident later went viral on social media, especially after MSF activists circulated it on social media, drawing criticism.Jaleel said on Monday that he had no intention of humiliating or hurting the student. He admitted that he held the student’s ear but denied pinching it or causing pain.“I did not pinch his ear or hurt him. If you ask the student, he will tell you that. I don’t think the student or his parents were offended. If anyone felt hurt, I will certainly take that into consideration,” he said.Jaleel said it is the duty of elders, especially teachers, to correct children when they make mistakes.‘Caused mental distress’Child rights commission said the visuals aired by the media showed Jaleel interacting with children in a manner that could cause them mental distress. Taking note of media reports, commission chairperson K V Manoj Kumar initiated suo motu proceedings into the incident. The panel will examine whether the actions amounted to a violation of children’s rights and dignity.
