A seemingly innocent act of trying to dislodge a kite from a tree spiraled into a major controversy at a government school in Vavol, Gandhinagar, on Friday. The incident, which involved damage to the principal's car and subsequent alleged physical punishment of students, has ignited anger among parents and cast a shadow over the institution.
The Trigger: A Stone and a Stuck Kite
According to preliminary reports, the chain of events began when a student threw a stone to retrieve a kite that was stuck in a tree on the school campus. The stone, however, missed its target and inadvertently struck the car belonging to the school principal, causing damage.
Alleged Retribution and Collective Punishment
Instead of identifying the specific student responsible for the act, the principal reportedly gathered students from three different sections — Class VI, VII, and VIII. The educators then allegedly subjected these children to physical assault. "The principal lost his temper and brutally beat innocent children," claimed one aggrieved parent. Another account stated that many children were left with visible marks on their bodies and were utterly terrified by the ordeal.
Parents further alleged that teachers threatened the students, warning them not to discuss the incident at home. "The teachers even threatened the students not to speak about the incident at home or else they would terminate them from the school," revealed the mother of a student.
Parental Outrage and Demand for Justice
The news of the alleged beating prompted furious parents to gather on the school premises. They demanded immediate accountability and called for the suspension of the principal. However, the principal reportedly went on leave, avoiding a direct confrontation with the agitated parents. When parents sought explanations from other teachers, they were met with dismissive responses and defense of the principal's actions.
The fallout has severely disrupted the school's routine. Many parents have expressed their refusal to send their children back to the school until concrete action is taken. "My child was so scared that he didn't want to return to school," shared a concerned parent, highlighting the deep psychological impact of the incident.
Official Response and Pending Inquiry
Despite the severity of the allegations and the vocal demands from parents, no formal police complaint had been filed at the time of reporting. The matter has been brought to the attention of the local education authorities.
Purvesh Patel, administrator of the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation School Board, confirmed receiving the complaint. He stated, "We have received the complaint and will conduct an inquiry on Monday. If the allegations are true, appropriate action will be taken against the teachers." The community now awaits the outcome of this promised investigation, hoping for swift justice and measures to ensure student safety.
