Students punished for not speaking English

Hyderabad: A young boy and girl stand with cardboard banners around their necks. The signs declare "I never speak in Telugu."

That's the bizarre punishment for children who broke into Telugu at their private, English-medium school in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.  

"We are inquiring whether the teachers themselves resorted to this punishment, whether the headmaster instructed them or it is the policy of the school management. Once we know, we will initiate strict action. We may even withdraw permission for the school," warns M Varaprasad, Education Minister, Andhra Pradesh.