Parents of over 100 students of Bai Najamai Noshirwan Dastur Primary and Nursery School in Pune Camp were in for a rude shock on Tuesday morning when the school administration suspended their wards from attending regular classes for seven days. The reason: the children had applied mehndi on their hands, which according to the school was against the rules.State Education Minister Vasant Purke told The Indian Express, “Disciplinary action will be initiated against the school for issuing such irresponsible orders. I have instructed the Deputy Director of Education to issue a show-cause notice in the matter immediately.”Purke said the school authorities should have explained the issue to the parents and the children, rather than target the students in this manner.Meanwhile, sensing the outrage, the school went in for damage control and withdrew the suspensions by evening. School chief administrative officer Girish Gulathi said the suspension orders had been withdrawn with immediate effect. “The orders have been withdrawn and all students can attend the school regularly from tomorrow,” he said.When asked if action will be taken against headmistress Arnita Batra, Gulathi said: “It will take some time.”Earlier, confusion prevailed at the school premises as several of the suspended students came out crying worried they will miss the oral exams scheduled on Monday. Agitated parents had gathered at the school premises as the school informed them on telephone to be there as Batra wanted to discuss some urgent matter.An inconsolable four-year-old Arshiya Shaikh from the pre-school section, said: “Madam scolded and warned us to remain out of school till the mehndi faded. ‘Don’t come to the school till Monday’,” she said.Asif Shaikh, whose two daughters were suspended, said: “There is no rule mentioned in the school calender that bars application of mehndi. Had we been forewarned, we would not have done it. This (the suspension) is stretching it too far. The management should sack Batra.”A parents’ delegation met Batra in the afternoon, but she stood her ground maintaining it was aimed at enforcing discipline in the school. “Word needs to be sent across amongst students and parents about adhering to rules and maintaining discipline. Our school is known for its high standard of discipline and any violation would not be tolerated at any cost. Allowing them to attend classes will send a wrong signal to other students,” said Batra.
