IAS Officer Faces Outcry Over Remarks on Gurukul Students’ Cleaning Duties

Last Updated Jun - 03 - 2025, 12:02 PM | Source : fela news

Officer under fire for Disputed comments, accused of caste biased, dignity violation, political outrage, child exploitation, and unequal school treatment.

An IAS officer in Telangana, Dr. V S Alagu Varshini, has come under heavy Rebuke after an audio clip of her remarks about students in Gurukul schools went viral. In the recording, she heard commanding school head to include cleaning bathrooms and hostel rooms as part of students’ daily tasks.

This remark provoked public outrage and charges of partility. Critics, including political leaders of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), claim that the officer's judgement demonstrate bias against student from disadvantaged families. Earlier TGSWREIS Secretary Dr. R S Praveen Kumar asked whether children from wealthier families would be asked to clean toilets in their schools. He state the remarks unfair and insulting to Dalit students.

BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha also condemned the officer, saying the Congress guided government had stopped providing liquidity to cleaning staff and helper’s caretakers in social welfare schools, leaving students to take on those roles themselves. She also mentions that violates children's rights and dignity and puts an unfair stress on them, especially those already facing socio-eco challenges.

In response, Dr. Varshini shared another audio message, asking the public not to twist her words or turn the issue into a political conflict. She protects her comments, telling students from poor families should learn life skills like cleaning and cooking to become self-reliant in the future. She suggested that her motto was to not be harmful but aimed at helping students grow.

Despite her explanation, many believe the officer’s approach was insensitive and reinforces inequality. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has issued notices to the Telangana chief secretary and police chief, demanding an update within 15 days on what actions are being taken regarding the matter. The debate continues as calls for accountability grow louder.