In the issue of the controversial new design of school uniforms of St Alphonsa Public School, Aruvithura in Kottayam, the photographer who took the images of the three girls who wore the uniform, has been charged under POCSO.
The new design had been termed ‘vulgar’ by some people.
Erattupetta police have slapped a case of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) against Bose Eapen, who owns a studio named Gloria near the school.
It all began when a photographer, Zachariah Ponkunnam, posted the photo taken by Bose Eapen, on Facebook of the three girls wearing the uniform. In the post, he stated that the school uniform was designed obscenely. The post went viral and many social media users came down heavily on the school authorities, concurring with Zachariah that the uniform was indecent.
Interestingly, the comments on Zachariah's post were mostly from men, many of who had been making rather vulgar comments and posting obscene pictures and memes to fight the perceived 'vulgarity' of the uniform.
Though the school authorities and Parents Teachers Association initially refused to act, they had to later change the uniform for girl students from class 5 to 10 as the students were depressed over the incident. Instead of a half jacket, which had led to the controversy, the uniform was changed to an overcoat. The school also informed that the management will bear the expenses for it.
PTA president Sabu Cyriac told media that they changed the uniform not because they did something wrong but because the children were upset about it. He also said that they would move legally against people behind this.
Bose was charged with POCSO based on the complaint filed by PTA. However, he says that the school has gone after him for pointing out their flaws.
“Now they have taken revenge. I have taken pictures because many parents have complained about the uniform. Now they won’t tell it as they are scared of the school management,” he told reporters in Kottayam.
Meanwhile, Bose has sought anticipatory bail. “There was no basis in the complaint. It is an attack against me for pointing out a mistake,” he said.