Punjab and Haryana High Court orders protection of LGBTQIA+ students in schools

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the Haryana education department and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to ensure compliance with the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court for the mental health and suicide prevention of students in schools. According to a report by The Hindu, on 31 October, the court issued these directions to follow the rules laid down by the Supreme Court in the Sukadeb Saha vs Andhra Pradesh case.

This significant decision was taken during the hearing of a petition filed by the mother of a 16-year-old student. The student died by suicide on 24 February, 2022. The petition alleged that the incident occurred due to long-term harassment, bullying, and sexual exploitation in a well-known school in Faridabad. The student's mother also levelled allegations against the school authorities and the headmistress.

It was further stated in the petition that the student's artistic interests were perceived as feminine by her peers, due to which she faced physical and sexual exploitation as well as bullying by a group of students within the school premises. Taking these serious matters into account, the court emphasised maintaining standards of safety and mental health in schools.

In this case, the student was harassed by her contemporary students due to her artistic approach, which ultimately led to this tragic incident.