'Cases are registered against teachers even when they give minor punishments to students'; High Court levels criticism

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has asserted that teachers should not have to work in fear of facing criminal charges for enforcing mild disciplinary measures aimed at shaping children’s futures. The court emphasized that police should not register cases arbitrarily based on complaints against teachers. Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan stated that teachers should be allowed to keep a small cane as a means to maintain discipline in schools. The observation was made while granting anticipatory bail to a teacher booked by the Vizhinjam police following a complaint that a sixth-grade student was caned.

"Teachers should not have to live in fear, as if under the sword of Damocles. Even the mere act of holding a cane can bring about significant changes in students. The attitude of the younger generation is concerning—some are even becoming addicted to drugs, which was not the case in the past. Reports of teachers being threatened and assaulted are emerging, which is unacceptable. Teachers are the architects of the new generation, and they need freedom to fulfill their role effectively," the court said.