ROHIT SINGHAL AND ORS. versus PRINCIPAL, JA WAHAR N. VIDYALA YA AND ORS.

Citation: [2002] SUPP. 5 S.C.R. 515 · Decided: 18-12-2002 · Supreme Court of India · Bench: R.C. LAHOTI · Disposal: Disposed off

Judgment (excerpt)

ROHIT SINGHAL AND ORS. 
A 
v. 
PRINCIPAL, JA WAHAR N. VIDYALA YA AND ORS. 
DECEMBER 18, 2002 
[R.C. LAHOTI AND BRIJESH KUMAR, JJ.] 
B 
Education/Educational Institutions; National Education Policy, 1986: 
Establishment of Jawahar Navodya Vidya/aya-Students admitted in class VJ 
through Navodya Selection Examination-Pursued studies in one such school C 
at native place-For ji1rther studies migrated to the school in other State as 
per policy to promote national unity-Mal-adjustment due to language and 
cultural gulf-Discharged from school on disciplinary grounds-Reji1sal to 
re-admit by JNV at native place-Writ Petition-Dismissed by High Court-
on appeal, held: since indiscipline shown by the young student was a 
manifestation of mal-adjustment, they ought to be dealt with sympathy and D 
shown indulgence and not penalized-Children need to be valued, nurtured, 
caressed and protected/or well functioning of society-To establish symbiotic 
relationship between children from different cultural background, there is a 
need of thoughtjitl approach to achieve goal of national integration- They 
are allowed to be taken back in the school at native place-Directions E 
issued 
Appellants were admitted in Vlth Class through Navodya Selection 
Examination and pursued their studies upto class VII in one of such school at 
their native place. Thereafter as per policy of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya 
School to promote national integration, they were migrated to the school in F 
the other State to pursue further studies. These young students could not 
adjust with their counter parts at that place due to language and cultural gulf 
and indulged in acts of indiscipline as well, though allegation and counter 
allegations were levelled against one another by both appellant-students and 
teachers. After few weeks, these students were discharged from the school 
on the ground of indiscipline. When they approached the authorities of the G 
school at their native place, they refused to take them back. Aggrieved, 
students filed writ petition before the High Court unsuccessfully. Hence this 
appeaL 
Allowing the appeal, the Court 
515 
H 
516 
SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002) SUPP. 5 S.C.R. 
A 
HELD: 1.1. 1t would suffice to note that appellants-the young boys in the 
tender age of early teens coming from rural backgroun'd and belonging to 
weaker section of th'e society were selected for entering into JNV system or 
studies. Undoubtedly, such students have to face migration into hitherto 
unknown lands for them, because the migration is aimed at achieving the 
laudable purpose of national integration which the scheme seeks to achieve 
B by intermingling or young students of different geographical regions having 
different cultures and linguism. The management with care and caution of 
these ideological students is significant for its success. The teachers and 
managers associated with the scheme ought to know that such attempt at 
blending of cultures and thereby achieving national integrity and unity is 
C bound to .have some initial inherent reluctance, more so, when children of 
tender age used to enjoying love and affection below the protective umbrella 
of parental care are made to move across the country. Care and caution is 
needed to see that tender feelings of innocent young children do not get hurt 
and do not get infuriated into emotional outburst which if takes place would 
D not only be unfortunate but will also be counter-productive and destructive of 
the very purpose sought to be achieved. While the transferees should be 
motivated for assimilation in the new environment, the locals should also be 
motivated to accept them. A greater responsibility lies on teachers of suitably 
moulding the pattern of emotional behaviour of the children sought to be 
brought together. Particula~ attention needs to be devoted in the initial period 
E of children coming together. Children by their very nature soon give up the 
initial hesitation and mix up with those of their age-group. j519-E-H; 520-A-BI 
· 1.2. Children are not only the future citizens but also future of the earth. 
Elders in general, and parents and teachers in particular, owe a responsibility 
for taking care of the well being and welfare of children. The world shall be 
F a better or worse place to live according to the treatment being given to the 
children today. Education is an investment made by the nation in its children 
for harvesting a future crop of responsible ad

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