In a major intervention reaffirming child and religious rights, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Government of Chhattisgarh to pay ₹50,000 as compensation to a nursery student who was beaten by her school principal in a missionary-run institution for greeting with the phrase “Radhe Radhe.” The order, dated 18 March 2026, was issued by NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo following a detailed inquiry into the case.

Background of the Incident

The incident took place in August 2025 at Mother Teresa English Medium School in Bagdhar, under Durg district. The victim, a 3.5-year-old girl, was reportedly subjected to physical punishment by her principal, Ila Evan Colvin, after she greeted her with “Radhe Radhe,” a customary phrase in her family. According to the complaint, the principal allegedly beat the child on her arm and taped her mouth for nearly 15 minutes in front of other students.

The episode triggered outrage after reports surfaced on social media and were later covered in national outlets, including Hindu Post. The case brought to light not only a disturbing instance of child abuse but also raised questions about religious intolerance and accountability in educational institutions operated by missionary organizations.

Complaint and NHRC Action

A formal complaint was filed by Swati Goel Sharma, editor of Rashtra Jyoti, in August 2025, urging the NHRC to ensure an impartial investigation into the matter. The complaint underscored three key concerns: child abuse, religious discrimination, and institutional impunity.

Responding to this, NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo took suo motu cognizance and served a notice under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Durg. The notice cited “serious violations of the human rights of the victim and the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.”

After several rounds of correspondence and review of reports from the district administration, the NHRC concluded that the incident involved clear infringement of the child’s dignity and rights. Consequently, the Commission ordered the state government to pay ₹50,000 in compensation, with liberty to recover the amount from the school management.

Rehabilitation and Support for the Victim

Amid the ongoing inquiry, Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation, headed by Swati Goel Sharma, stepped in to assist the family. The Foundation facilitated the transfer of the child to a new school of her parents’ choosing and pledged to cover the entirety of her educational expenses, citing the family’s financial constraints.

As per Sharma’s statement, the girl is now set to begin Kindergarten (KG) in her new school next month, marking a new chapter after months of distress. The family, meanwhile, expressed relief at both the NHRC’s decision and the support received from civil society.

Broader Implications

The NHRC’s order carries broader significance in the context of religious freedom and child protection within educational setups. It serves as an important precedent affirming that cultural practices and greetings rooted in personal faith cannot justify discriminatory punishment in institutions of learning.

By allowing the government to recover compensation from the erring school, the Commission has also reinforced the accountability of school authorities in ensuring that disciplinary actions do not violate basic human rights or the child’s constitutional protections.

Legal and Social Context

Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, corporal punishment and mental harassment of students are explicitly prohibited. The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, further empowers the NHRC to investigate violations of human rights by public or private entities and recommend relief measures, including compensation.

While the amount ordered may be modest, human rights advocates view the ruling as a symbolic step toward greater recognition of psychological trauma and discrimination faced by children in educational institutions. It highlights the need for awareness, sensitivity, and accountability training for teachers and administrators across both private and missionary-run schools.

It is to be noted that, Hindus face systemic disenfranchisement under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, primarily because its key provisions—such as the 25% reservation for disadvantaged children under Section 12(1)(c)—do not apply to minority institutions protected by Article 30(1) of the Constitution. This exemption, upheld by the Supreme Court in Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust v. Union of India (2014), allows Christian, Muslim, and other minority-run schools (which constitute up to 50% of schools in states like Goa and Kerala) to bypass mandates on infrastructure, teacher qualifications, fees, and admissions that burden majority-run (predominantly Hindu) institutions, leading to closures of thousands of Hindu schools unable to comply. This creates religious discrimination, denying the Hindu majority equivalent rights to administer schools while minority institutions enjoy flexibility in hiring, curriculum, and avoiding state oversight, effectively tilting educational control away from the majority community.

This case underscores deeper inequities under the RTE Act, where minority institutions like Mother Teresa English Medium School enjoy Article 30 exemptions from key provisions, including those on corporal punishment and admissions. While Hindu-run schools face closures for non-compliance, missionary institutions often evade equivalent scrutiny, fostering environments where cultural expressions like “Radhe Radhe” provoke unchecked disciplinary actions. The NHRC’s RTE citation signals potential cracks in this protective shield.