Bhubaneswar, Nov. 16 -- A heartbreaking case from Maharashtra's Palghar district has raised serious questions about school discipline and child safety. A Class 6 girl from a private school in Sativali, Vasai, died nearly a week after she was allegedly forced to do 100 sit-ups as punishment for arriving late. The shocking incident has prompted authorities to launch an inquiry into the circumstances leading to her death.

According to members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), on November 8, the girl and four other students were reprimanded for reaching school late. Their punishment: 100 sit-ups each, allegedly with their school bags still on.

Her mother claimed that the teacher insisted the children perform the sit-ups with their ba...