The Kerala government on Wednesday, January 22, launched an inquiry into an incident involving a Class 11 student who was caught on video abusing and threatening to kill his teacher for confiscating his mobile phone. The incident occurred at the Anakkara Government Higher Secondary School in Palakkad district.
The video’s release drew criticism toward the school for failing to blur the student’s face, exposing him to trolling online.
The video, which surfaced on social media, shows the boy being interrogated by the school principal, AK Anil Kumar, in his office. Another teacher recorded the conversation, which revealed the student’s aggressive behavior.
During the discussion, the principal asked, “What did you do to that teacher?” The boy responded, “I am being civil in the room but outside school…” in a threatening manner.
When the principal pressed further, the student became visibly agitated, claiming mental harassment and objecting to the recording of the video. Addressing the teacher filming the conversation, he said, “If I see you somewhere outside, I will finish you. I will kill you, now give me the phone.”
Education Minister V Sivankutty said that the teachers reprimanded the boy as mobile phones, at present, are not allowed inside classrooms. “Such reactions from students are unexpected. However, children cannot be scolded and course-corrected if they do things that the elders feel are not right.”
“It should be probed whether children are getting sufficient opportunities to attain self-enlightenment. There have been mentoring programmes initiated by the government, but such instances prove that there is a need to strengthen it,” he added.
According to reports, the student has been suspended and the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) has filed a police complaint against the student.