NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging hardships to the girl students due to the lack of toilets in Devarakonda Zila Parishad High School in Nalgonda, Telangana

Press Release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi, 18th March, 2024

NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging hardships to the girl students due to the lack of toilets in Devarakonda Zila Parishad High School in Nalgonda, Telangana

Issues notice to the Chief Secretary of the State seeking reports within four weeks

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that the girl students are facing hardships due to the lack of toilet facilities in the Devarakonda Zila Parishad High School for Girls in Nalgonda district, Telangana. Reportedly, the girl students started using the urinals at Sulabh complexes but they had to discontinue using them when asked to pay money. After this, the girls started using free toilets at Devarakonda Bus Stop, however, the management stopped them from using the toilets and they were sent back.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, amount to a serious violation of the human rights of the girl students. The facility of toilets in the schools for the students, especially for the girl students, is one of the basic amenities to be ensured and provided by the management. Forcing the girl students to use the public toilets outside the schools at Sulabh complexes and the ones available at the bus stops, raises many issues of grave recklessness about the safety and security of the female students.

Accordingly, the Commission has issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana calling for a detailed report in four weeks. The report should include the steps taken/ proposed to be taken so that such incidents do not recur.

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