After a recent case of school discriminating a physically challenged boy, another case has come to light in the Left-ruled West Bengal where a child has been forced to leave his school over fears that he was HIV positive, as his father was found to be AIDS-infected.

The situation also underlines the sort of social stigmas attacked with HIV infection in India and basic lack of awareness. No doubt that HIV infected people especially in rural parts of the country hide their medical status to avoid such discrimination.

Sourav Majhi had his name struck off the rolls days after he was admitted to the school in a village in Midnapore district, despite him not being HIV positive.

Saurav's father insisted that he had completed all the paper work, and could not understand why the school authorities were discriminating against his son.

"I am HIV positive and I found it three years back in 2003. My son and wife are not HIV infected. I have already submitted my health report to the school. I have given the report to all the authorities but they are still asking me to show my son's report," said Debasish Majhi.

Meanwhile the school authorities said that parents of other students did not want Saurav to mingle with their children.

According to United Nation's AIDS-prevention agency UNAIDS's recent report, India has the highest HIV cases in the world, with an estimated 5.7 million people living with the virus.