Gujarat: Minor raped days after delivering powerful 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' speech, teacher held

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Days after delivering a powerful speech on 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' in her school, a minor was raped by her teacher in Gujarat's Sabarkantha.

The 15-year-old has, however, shown remarkable resilience and is preparing for her Board examination starting February 27. She, along with her family, registered a complaint against the 33-year-old teacher following which he was arrested.

The incident took place on February 7, less than two weeks after her inspiring Republic Day speech, where she spoke passionately about the importance of saving and educating the girl child.

The teacher, who allegedly lured her to a hotel under the pretence of a birthday celebration, is also accused of threatening to fail her in the upcoming exams, The Times of India reported.

Despite the trauma, the minor is determined to pursue her dream of becoming a police officer. "I have always dreamt of becoming a police officer. Science and Mathematics are my favourite subjects. I'll choose my academic stream based on my board results," she told TOI.

She is currently staying with her paternal aunt's family, whose daughters are also preparing for exams. Her uncle explained that this arrangement is to minimise disruptions to her studies. The family, who are primarily agricultural labourers, is immensely proud of her courage and determination. "We don't want our future generation to toil as farm hands... We realise the importance of education," her uncle emphasised.

The school principal also lauded the student's fortitude. "She has been a bright student who never missed classes. It's inspirational, to say the least, the way she is navigating these challenging times with courage and resilience," the principal said. The incident has not only shaken the local community but also highlighted the student's extraordinary strength and resolve in the face of adversity.