HYDERABAD: Scores of parents of students of DAV Public school at Neredmet gathered in front of the school on Monday and protested against the school management “for not taking any action” against a school boy who allegedly misbehaved with a girl student on the school premises. The parents alleged that the boy went to the girls washroom 10 days ago and videographed from his mobile phone and shared it with his friends.
The agitated parents demanded that the ‘offender’ should be identified and strict action must be taken against him. However, the school authorities maintained that they would take ‘correctional measures’ if the offender is identified. “It is a stray incident which was blown out of proportion by certain groups,” said the school principal when contacted.
The alleged incident took place nearly two weeks ago at DAV Public School in Neredmet here. With no action being taken by the school authorities, a group of parents staged a dharna outside the school on Monday. “We have paid donations and we continue to pay fees. If the school cannot guarantee safety of our children, what do we do? We are only seeking stringent action against the culprit so that such incident is not repeated,” fumed Bindu Reddy, whose two daughters study in the same school.
On the contrary, principal Seethakiran asked, “Should we jump the gun and crucify the child or correct him? Who will take responsibilty if he commits suicide after we punish him?”.
Further, she assured adding, “We are not overlooking the issue. Whatever is possible through CBSE bylaws, we will do.” According to school authorities, the parents of the victim approached them four days ago but did not give any written complaint. No case has been registered in the Neredmet police. “We tried to convince the parents of the girl to lodge a complaint. Since, they did not, we have asked the school management to lodge a complaint based on which we shall register a case and investigate,” said Rama Rajeshwari, DCP, Malkajgiri. She along with her team visited the school on Monday.
According to her, preliminary investigation has suggested that an unidentified boy entered the washroom and cut the hair of a class 2 girl and ran away. “Whether the boy was playing any mischief or prank with the girl or whether he really misbehaved, needs to be probed,” the DCP said. The school management has ordered for an internal enquiry and trying to convince the girl’s parents to lodge a complaint with the police.