Kathmandu— A six-year-old boy, identified as Pranay Tej, has died in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh after collapsing in his classroom following an alleged slap by his teacher, sparking widespread outrage and prompting investigations by both police and education officials. The incident, captured on school security cameras in Visakhapatnam, has reignited debate over corporal punishment in India, which is officially illegal but remains prevalent. Education minister Nara Lokesh announced legal action against those responsible, while the boy’s father stated his son had appeared healthy before attending school.

Incident Captured on Camera

Security camera footage from the school shows a female teacher holding Pranay Tej by his clothes before slapping him on the face, after which he collapsed. The video was widely shared by local media outlets on Thursday and has been verified by Al Jazeera. The incident quickly drew condemnation and calls for accountability.

Official Response and Investigation

Andhra Pradesh’s education minister, Nara Lokesh, stated that legal action is being taken against those responsible and the school management. He shared his grief on social media, stating, “As a father, I can’t get over what happened to little Pranay Tej… Corporal punishment has no place in our schools.” Police have registered a case under Section 194 of the BNSS and are conducting an investigation, including completing inquest and post-mortem procedures to determine the exact cause of death. Palla Srinivasa Rao, Andhra Pradesh state president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), said that the government has reacted appropriately and formed a committee to investigate.

Family’s Grief and Demand for Justice

Relatives gathered at the hospital after learning about Pranay Tej’s death and demanded strict action against those responsible, according to NDTV India. The boy's father reported that his son had insisted on going to school that morning, appearing healthy before leaving home. He is understandably devastated by the loss of his child.

Prevalence of Corporal Punishment

Despite being officially illegal, a 2018 study by the Indian NGO Agrasar found that approximately 80 percent of low-income school children in India experience corporal punishment from teachers. This incident highlights the continued challenge of enforcing laws against physical discipline in schools and protecting children from violence.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Pranay Tej’s death, with a focus on determining the exact cause and holding those responsible accountable.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.