Authorities in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh have launched an investigation into the death of a six-year-old child who collapsed and reportedly died after being slapped by his teacher in a school classroom. The incident, which occurred in Visakhapatnam, was captured on school security cameras and shared widely by local media.

The disturbing video footage, verified by Al Jazeera, shows a female teacher holding the child by his clothes before striking him on the face, after which he collapses. The incident has ignited widespread concern and outcry regarding the prevalence of corporal punishment in schools across India.

Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh’s minister of education and IT, stated on Facebook that legal action is being taken against those responsible and the school management. He expressed his personal anguish, stating on X, "As a father, I can’t get over what happened to little Pranay Tej. I cannot imagine the pain his parents are going through. Corporal punishment has no place in our schools. No child should ever be subjected to violence in the name of discipline."

The police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the child, identified by local media as Pranay Tej. According to NDTV India, relatives gathered at the hospital, demanding strict action against the perpetrators. The boy's father told NDTV that his son had seemed healthy before leaving for school that morning.

Police Inspector Pudi Vara Prasad informed the Press Trust of India that a case has been registered under Section 194 of the BNSS following a complaint from the boy's father. He added that the body was released to the parents after inquest and post-mortem procedures were completed, and that the exact cause of death would be determined upon receipt of all relevant reports.

Despite corporal punishment being officially illegal in India, a 2018 study by the Indian NGO Agrasar indicated that approximately 80 percent of low-income school children experience it from teachers. This incident brings renewed attention to the persistent issue.

Palla Srinivasa Rao, Andhra Pradesh state president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), commented to the Press Trust of India that the government's response has been "appropriate" given the circumstances.

The tragic event underscores a critical debate about child safety and disciplinary practices within the Indian education system, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of existing laws and greater accountability for educators.