A strong demand was made in the Lok Sabha on Monday for action against managements of schools which were punishing children for communicating in their mother-tongue. "Is it a crime to communicate in mother tongue? Reports say that many children are being fined and punished for using mother tongue in schools under CBSE and ICSE",said CPI(M) member A Sampath,who was supported by members from all sides. DMK leader T R Baalu even wanted an immediate response from the government,while Dara Singh Chauhan (BSP) suggested a special discussion on the issue. Amid thumping of desks from members from all sides,Sampath emphasised that it was a "primary right" of a student to communicate in mother tongue. "Even in England,the children in schools speak in their mother tongue," he said. He quoted reports as saying that schools were imposing fines of Rs 1,000 on students and even "throwing the students out of the school premises. Teachers and school managements have no right to punish students on this ground." The CPI(M) member demanded stringent action against the managements and even withdrawal of recognition of such schools.
