Shameful Incident: Minor Girls Forced To Dance For Tourists In Nashik Hostel

Nashik, 23rd June 2023: A disturbing incident has recently come to light, exposing the mistreatment of minor girls residing in a hostel located in Trimbakeshwar taluka of Nashik district, Maharashtra. Shockingly, these young girls were compelled to perform dances in front of tourists during evening and nighttime hours.

Even more alarming is the revelation that those girls who refused to dance before the tourists were subjected to forceful beatings with sticks. This appalling situation came to the attention of the authorities when the girls bravely reported the incidents to their parents. Promptly, the concerned parents immediately lodged a complaint with the local police.

As a result, the girls were promptly taken back home from the hostel. Subsequently, a case has been registered against the superintendent and teacher of the institution at Wadivarhe police station.

The distressing incident occurred at Pahne in Trimbakeshwar taluk. According to the parents’ complaint filed with the police, a private institution has been operating an English medium school in Pahne for several years. This year, the school introduced a hostel exclusively for girls. Prior to the commencement of regular classes, girls from grades VII to IX were enrolled in this hostel. Parents were charged a deposit of Rs 3,500 each, with the assurance that the girls would be taught traditional dance and computer skills before the start of the school term.

According to the students’ allegations, teacher Madhuri Gawli resorted to corporal punishment, using sticks to forcefully and vigorously compel the girls to dance.

In response, the investigation of this incident has been entrusted to Nashik Rural Deputy Superintendent, Sandeep Bhamre. Bhagwan Madhe, the founder president of Elgar Sanshikari Sangathan, has lodged a complaint with the Nashik District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and the Women’s and Child Rights Commission. Madhe disclosed that the Child Rights Commission has ordered a thorough inquiry into this matter.

Both the hostel superintendent and the accused teacher have vehemently denied the allegations of coercing the girls into dancing for the tourists.

Regarding these accusations, a teacher stated, “We only teach the girls traditional dance. They are not compelled to perform in front of others. It is possible that tourists may have observed the teacher instructing the girls in dance, but that is the extent of it. We will ensure necessary precautions are taken in this regard.”