UP School Controversy: Principal Confronts Parent Over Books Purchase, Fees in Hardoi School (Watch Viral Video

ir="ltr">An incident of a school principal confronting parents in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, has gone viral on social media. The viral video has triggered a debate over private schools' looting parents under the guise of buying books and study materials. The recent incident took place on April 24 at Sunbeam School in the Civil Lines area of Hardoi. School’s principal, Mamta Mishra, was seen shouting at a parent, Neelam Verma, in front of several people. A video of this confrontation was recorded by another parent present at the premises. The video was shared initially on the school WhatsApp group and quickly went viral on social media.

Neelam Verma stated that the argument began when she went to school to pick up her daughter Alisha, studying in UKG. She said that they had already bought the given school material, but the school insisted that she should buy 4 more books worth Rs 1200 from the school. Neelam’s daughter began to return home without homework due to the absence of the 4 notebooks. After this, she spoke with the principal and tried to seek an extension of 15 days, but she claimed that Mishra refused to grant it.

People avoid govt schools despite paying taxes and an education cess, because the system has failed to earn their trust. Private schools exploit this compulsion. With no real alternatives, parents are squeezed and intimidated.

Here, a principal from a reputed private school in… pic.twitter.com/tqfL9Zkapz— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) April 26, 2026

Neelam told India Today, “I requested her to give me 15 days’ time, but she refused to listen,” She further alleged that the principal used abusive language and called her “illiterate” and “uncultured.” She also threatened to strike her child’s name off the rolls. Neelam has filed a complaint with the District Magistrate through the IGRS portal, the report added.

However, the school’s principal denied the claims made by the parent. She posted a video on social media stating that the parent had been pressuring her to reduce school fees. She stated that the verbal spat occurred on the day when the school was conducting a vaccination drive. She said that she appealed to Neelam to discuss the matter later, but the parent persisted.

Sunbeam School's Principal Mamta Mishra has come up with her side of story.

I think she tried well to justify her actions but she is not at all a good story teller. pic.twitter.com/23gVatjYs8https://t.co/HSay4Jak6U— Neetu Khandelwal (@T_Investor_) April 26, 2026

“Yes, my language may have been harsh, but no one knows what happened before that,” she said. She said that the fee for primary classes is Rs 1,300, questioning whether it was unreasonable.

This viral incident has sparked outrage among many parents in Hardoi. Many parents have raised their voices over schools allegedly forcing purchases of costly books and supplies.

A preliminary inquiry has been ordered, confirmed Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Dr. Ajit Singh. A three-person team has been assembled, and the findings will determine whether any norm violations or violations of the Right to Education Act are found.

As of right now, the widely shared video has not only drawn attention to one particular school but also rekindled a larger discussion about accountability and transparency in private education.Open in app