The principal of a government senior secondary school in Rajasthan's Alwar district has been suspended after a purported video showing him bathing in a dam with girl students went viral on social media, according to an official order.

Suspension and Inquiry

Lal Chand Meena, principal of Government Senior Secondary School at Raubavi Padak Chhapli in the Thanagazi area, was placed under suspension with immediate effect by the Directorate of Secondary Education, Bikaner. The suspension order was issued on Saturday, as reported by the Free Press Journal and The New Indian Express.

The department said objectionable videos involving Meena and girl students of the school had surfaced on social media. The Times of India reported that the video surfaced on August 22 and showed Meena bathing in the dam in an "objectionable position" with female students.

The education department stated that Meena's conduct was prima facie in violation of the code of conduct prescribed for public servants. A departmental inquiry has been initiated under Rule 13(1) of the Rajasthan Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1958.

During the suspension period, Meena's headquarters will remain at the Directorate of Secondary Education in Bikaner, according to the order. The Times of India added that he will be paid subsistence allowance as per rules during this period.

The Incident

According to The New Indian Express and other reports, the principal had allegedly taken more than 200 students to a dam about two kilometres from the school on August 15. The dam had around 11 feet of water, and bathing there was prohibited due to the risk of drowning, reports said.

Some students recorded videos during the visit, which later went viral on social media, as reported by The New Indian Express.

The Times of India reported that villagers alleged the girls were taken into the dam on August 15 in the name of teaching them swimming, without life jackets or adequate safety arrangements.

The Times of India also reported that the suspension action came a day after the viral video prompted the education department to constitute a three-member committee to investigate the matter. The committee would record the statements of the students and submit a detailed report to the district education officer, officials said.

Perspectives

Education Department

The Directorate of Secondary Education, Bikaner, issued the suspension order, stating that Meena's conduct was prima facie in violation of the code of conduct for public servants. The department initiated a departmental inquiry under Rule 13(1) of the Rajasthan Civil Services Rules.

Villagers

Villagers alleged that the girl students were taken into the dam without life jackets or adequate safety arrangements, under the guise of swimming lessons, as reported by The Times of India.