A government school headmaster in Uttar Pradesh’s Etawah district has been suspended after a video showing him tapping a student’s shaved head like a tabla went viral on social media. The incident has raised questions about how teachers treat students inside classrooms.
The incident took place at the primary school in Birauli village, under the Saifai block of Etawah. The student, who studies in Class 4, had shaved his head before coming to school. The headmaster reportedly called the child near him and began tapping his head with both hands, as if playing a musical instrument. Other students sitting in the classroom can be seen laughing during the incident. The video, quickly spread across social media platforms and drew criticism from viewers.
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The incident came to the attention of the Basic Education Department, following which the District Basic Education Officer, Rajesh Kumar, suspended the headmaster with immediate effect. The department considered the behaviour inappropriate and against the dignity of a student. The suspended headmaster has been attached to the Block Resource Centre in Saifai during the suspension period. An inquiry has also been ordered to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Uday Singh Raj, the Block Education Officer of Basrehar, has been appointed as the inquiry officer. He has been asked to submit a report within 15 days. Further action will depend on the findings of the investigation.
#VIRAL: Teacher seen playing tabla on a student’s head, laughing and dancing. Teacher suspended! 📍Etawah, Uttar Pradesh https://t.co/goTIqIl0K5
— Karan Singh / करन सिंह (@Journo_Karan) October 9, 2026
Reports also stated that the headmaster expressed regret over his actions and said he did not intend to hurt the child’s feelings. He reportedly said that he would apologise in writing. However, the incident has raised a larger question about the role of teachers in schools. A classroom should be a place where children feel safe, respected and comfortable while learning. While teachers may sometimes joke with students, such behaviour should never make a child feel embarrassed or become a subject of ridicule in front of classmates.
The incident also highlights the impact of social media in bringing such cases to the attention of authorities. The video led to swift action from the education department, but the inquiry will determine the next steps in the matter. For now, the headmaster remains suspended while the department investigates the incident. The case serves as a reminder that a teacher’s responsibility goes beyond teaching lessons from textbooks. It also includes treating every student with dignity and respect.
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