At Birauli Primary School in Saifai block, Etawah district, Dinesh Kumar Mathur, an assistant teacher, filmed himself drumming a fake tabla on a student's shaved head and posted the clip on his Facebook page.
The clip, which shows Mathur laughing as he plays, spread across platforms within hours, drawing sharp criticism from parents, students and educators.
Basic Shiksha Adhikari Dr Rajesh Kumar, responding to the outcry, suspended Mathur effective immediately, citing breach of conduct and potential harm to the child's dignity.
One parent, speaking anonymously, said the child felt "humiliated and embarrassed" after the incident, while a nearby teacher described the scene as "unprofessional and unacceptable."
The Uttar Pradesh Education Department will now launch a formal inquiry, and the case is expected to be adjudicated by the district school board within the next fortnight.