Kerala HC quashes case against teacher for corporal punishment citing Ekalavya story: Should teachers be allowed to physically discipline students?

The

Kerala High Court

recently dismissed a criminal case against a schoolteacher who allegedly beat a seventh-grade student with a stick after the student verbally abused her. This ruling has reignited debate over the teacher-student relationship and whether corporal punishment should have a place in contemporary education. With corporal punishment widely condemned for its potentially harmful effects on children, the High Court’s decision has raised important questions on disciplinary boundaries and the duty of teachers to maintain decorum in classrooms.
In his ruling, Justice A. Badharudeen highlighted an “upside-down” shift in teacher-student relationships, contrasting it with the ancient bond of respect, sacrifice, and discipline found in the guru-shishya tradition depicted in the Mahabharata. The Court invoked the story of Ekalavya, who willingly sacrificed his thumb out of respect for his teacher, to underscore the contrast between past and present dynamics in educational settings.
Why Was a Case Filed Against the Teacher?
The case originated when a teacher reprimanded a student in her class for lounging with his feet on his desk, an act she viewed as disrespectful. When she asked the student to sit properly, he responded with verbal abuse. In reaction, the teacher pulled the student’s ears and struck him with a stick, an action which the student later claimed caused him injuries. Following this incident, the student’s family reported the matter to authorities, leading to criminal charges being filed against the teacher under Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act.

Section 75 of the JJ Act is specifically intended to protect children from unnecessary physical or mental suffering inflicted by those in positions of authority. However, the Court ruled that this case did not meet the criteria for an offence under Section 75, as it found no intentional harm inflicted on the student by the teacher.
What the Kerala High Court Said: Invoking the Ekalavya Story
The High Court found that the teacher’s actions were prompted solely by the student’s verbal abuse and that she did not cause him any serious harm. In quashing the charges, Justice A. Badharudeen observed, “In this case, it is not fair to hold that the teacher [had] done anything with intention to cause unnecessary mental or physical suffering to the student.” He noted that the teacher’s response, though physical, was a spontaneous reaction to the student’s disrespectful behaviour. The Court further commented that this type of behaviour from students is increasingly common, raising concerns about maintaining discipline in schools.

To illustrate the shift in

teacher-student dynamics

, the Court referred to the story of Ekalavya from the Mahabharata. In this ancient epic, Ekalavya, a young prince from a tribal community, aspired to learn archery under the great teacher Dronacharya, despite being denied formal training. Out of respect for Dronacharya, he practised on his own and eventually became a highly skilled archer. When Dronacharya discovered this, he asked Ekalavya for a token of respect, or “gurudakshina,” in the form of Ekalavya’s right thumb, which would prevent him from outshining Dronacharya’s royal students. Ekalavya complied without hesitation, embodying the values of sacrifice, loyalty, and discipline in his devotion to his teacher.
Justice Badharudeen contrasted this ancient ethos with modern-day attitudes, where teachers may face criminal charges for disciplining students, and noted, “Teachers are imparting education bearing fear in mind that what to do and what not to do.” He warned that such developments could lead to “dangerous consequences” in the functioning of educational institutions, as teachers may be deterred from maintaining order and discipline in the classroom.
Why Should Teachers Not Be Allowed to Physically Discipline Students?
While the Kerala High Court’s ruling favours the teacher in this specific case, the broader question of corporal punishment’s place in education remains contentious. Many child psychologists and educational experts argue that physical discipline does more harm than good, potentially instilling fear rather than respect in students. Studies have shown that physical punishment can lead to long-term psychological effects, including anxiety, aggression, and lower self-esteem. Moreover, children subjected to physical punishment may develop a negative association with learning environments, hampering their academic growth.
From a legal perspective, corporal punishment is prohibited in many countries, including India, where the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has strongly advocated against it. Section 75 of the JJ Act reflects this stance by criminalising actions that cause unnecessary physical or mental suffering to children. Schools are expected to adopt non-violent approaches to discipline, encouraging teachers to use communication and counselling instead of punitive measures.
In addition to its psychological impact, corporal punishment may also lead to an erosion of trust between teachers and students. Today’s education system prioritises creating a safe and nurturing environment for children to learn and develop. Physical discipline, even if administered with good intentions, may undermine this objective by alienating students and causing distress. A child who feels safe is more likely to engage positively in class and develop a healthy rapport with educators, which can be a key factor in academic success.
A Fine Balance Between Discipline and Compassion
The Kerala High Court’s decision to quash the case against the teacher underscores the complexity of maintaining discipline in today’s classrooms. While the ruling highlights the challenges teachers face, it also brings into focus the evolving nature of teacher-student relationships in an increasingly rights-conscious society. The story of Ekalavya may serve as a symbolic reminder of the respect that underpins the traditional teacher-student bond. Yet, it also raises the question of whether physical discipline has a place in modern educational systems.
Educational institutions are tasked with finding non-violent ways to instil respect and discipline in students, while safeguarding their well-being and rights. As the Court observed, it is essential to address the issues that teachers face in managing classrooms, but it is equally important to ensure that children are not subjected to harmful disciplinary measures. The ongoing debate over corporal punishment in education serves as a reminder that discipline, while necessary, must be approached with sensitivity and understanding in order to foster a positive learning environment for future generations.