Lesbianism (or homosexuality) of any kind will not be tolerated in Bengal schools. That was the clear message from state education minister, Partha Chatterjee, who was responding to an incident that happened in South Kolkata’s Kamala Girls’ High School. Students and parents of the school have alleged that twelve girls of the ninth standard were threatened with expulsion, because they were displaying “lesbian behaviour”.
In an interview to The Quint, the minister said that he “will not inculcate the idea of lesbianism at school.”
If it’s a personal matter, it should be taken up outside of school. You can’t inculcate your personal ideas in the school. It can influence others.Partha Chatterjee, West Bengal Education Minister to The Quint
‘What is the problem with homosexuality spreading,’ we asked?
“It is a problem at the school level. Young teenagers should not explore sexuality among themselves. That is not the culture of Bengal”, the minister said.
He also said that he got to know of the incident through the media.
I have asked my department to seek a report from the school. It is the duty of the school authorities to take appropriate action if (the girls) are found guilty. Whether the allegations are true or not, have to be proved. They can’t ask the students to write anything if they are not guilty. Neither can they be lenient if the students are found to be “indecent” in their behaviour.Partha Chatterjee, West Bengal Education Minister to The Quint
Twelve students at Kamala Girls’ High School have alleged that they were forced to write statements saying that they were lesbians and had indulged in “uncivilised” sexual activities. The school administration says it was just acting on complaints made by other students. Earlier, the headmistress of the school told The Quint that the students wrote the statements of their own volition.
A complaint has been made by the parents of the twelve students. However, an FIR is yet to be registered by the police.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)