Taking a suo motu cognisance of media reports, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought explanation from the Haryana Government over the reports that six village panchayats in Mahendergarh district have decided not to send their teenage girls to school due to recurring instances of eve-teasing.
In the notices, the NHRC has asked the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) Haryana to file their reply within the next four weeks.
Perturbed over recurring instances of harassment of teenage girls and alleged inaction by police, panchayats of six villages -- Pal, Gadania, Kherki, Nihalawas, Kuksi and Palah -- had met Pal village in Mahendergarh district on last Friday and decided not to send their girls to schools.
Decision to this effect was taken after two girls were allegedly teased by a few boys on their way home from school. In one of the cases, the girl had raised an alarm, following which the youths fled the spot. locals had raised the matter with the village panchayat and lodged a complaint with the police. Following this, a youth was arrested.
At the meeting, the panchayat representatives had also condemned the inaction by the police and school authorities in ensuring safety of girl students. Expressing "deep concern over the safety and security of the village girls, who bear the brunt of unscrupulous elements", they unanimously decided that they would not allow the girls of six villages to attend school.
Sources said, the Commission has observed that the content of the reports, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the girl students.
According to an NHRC statement, the panchayat members have expressed deep concern over the safety and security of the girls in the wake of increasing instances of sexual harassment.
In the notice, the NHRC also directed the DGP and Chief Secretary to submit the details of incidents of sexual harassment of girls in Haryana during the last three months, particularly in the six villages, and the preventive action, if any, taken by the administration in this regard, the statement said.
Not only Mahendergarh, but neighbouring Rewari had also witnessed a similar situation a few months ago when around 50 girls were stopped from attending school because of the persistent problem of sexual harassment. The police then had arrested three youths in this connection.