Adarsh India Montessori School in Biria Majhola, Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand, staged a mock eye injury on one child as part of an anti‑mobile phone exercise, sparking terror among classmates. The child was wrapped in bandages and a red liquid was smeared around the eyes to make it look as though doctors had removed them because of excessive phone use.
The school had organised the activity to warn students about excessive smartphone use and screen time, but the method proved too extreme for the age group. Several children cried and screamed, and a video of the event went viral on social media, with students pledging to avoid phones.
Udham Singh Nagar District Education Officer Harendra Kumar Mishra directed the Basic Education Officer to investigate the matter and take appropriate action based on the findings. Sub‑Divisional Magistrate Tushar Saini acknowledged that such programmes could create fear among children and advised the school to avoid similar tactics.
The investigation report will be reviewed, after which further action will be considered.