After Teacher’s ‘Nap’ Video Surfaces, UP Prohibits Filming In Classrooms

The Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) in Aligarh has issued a directive to more than 2,000 government schools, prohibiting the filming of “unwell individuals” in classrooms. The circular, issued on Friday, mandates that any photographs or videos of unwell individuals should be reported to the concerned block education officer or the BSA directly, rather than being sent to the media.

The circular also instructs that teachers, shiksha mitras, instructors, and students who feel unwell due to the extreme heat should be taken to the nearest community health centre immediately. It further warns that if any photos or videos related to ‘ill health’ are distributed, strict punitive action will be taken against the responsible person.

BSA (Aligarh), Rakesh Singh, confirmed to TOI, “Yes, a circular has been issued to more than 2,000 basic education council schools across the district. If anyone in these schools performs such an act, it will be treated as a breach of privacy.”

This directive follows the recent suspension of Dimple Bansal, a teacher at a government school in Aligarh, for “irresponsible behaviour.” Two videos of Bansal went viral on social media: one showing her lying on a mat and purportedly napping during class while students (aged 5-10) fanned her, and another showing her repeatedly caning children with a stick. Vijay Singh, the ‘shiksha mitra’ who filmed and uploaded these videos, was also terminated.

Regarding Bansal’s suspension, BSA Singh explained, “Bansal was suspended for beating children with a stick.” He added that the investigation revealed that she had slipped from her chair and wasn’t feeling well, awaiting a local doctor’s arrival. Meanwhile, some children were fanning her to keep her awake.

When contacted, Bansal explained, “I had fallen from the chair and became unconscious, due to which the children were trying to wake me up.”