BENGALURU: The protest against the sexual assault on a six-year-old student in Jeevanbima Nagar took a different turn on Monday after children from two schools located in the vicinity participated. The Education Department is set to issue show cause notices to the managements of the two schools.
Students from classes nine and ten from Holy Cross School and Indian Public School joined local residents and parents, as protests continued in front of the J.B. Nagar school, demanding action against the management for lax security. At least 30 students had been brought allegedly by a student outfit to take part in the protest.
A class nine student of Indian Public School said that the seniors of their school had taken them to protest while another student fumbled, but was later tutored by others to say that they were protesting to demand justice for the rape victim.
Acknowledging that children from his school took part in the protest, S.M. Patil, principal of Indian Public School, said that around 10 students went without the consent of the management. “They went during the lunch break and did not come back for afternoon classes. We will be calling the parents of the students,” he said.
A Holy Cross School official said that despite the school directing students not to venture out during lunch time, they slipped out without the knowledge of authorities. “We will seek an explanation from the students,” he said.
BEO takes note
Taking objection to “using” children for the protests, Block Education Officer (South 4) S.M. Ramesh said that notices would be issued to the managements of the two schools for allowing their students to go outside school in the midst of classes. “The issue is very sensitive. Involving students in such protests is unfortunate. The school managements will be asked to explain,” he said.
Meanwhile, uncertainty over the re-opening of J.B. Nagar School continues, as the proposed meeting on Monday between the management and parents was called off. Late in the evening, there was a notice saying that a decision on the meeting is yet to be taken. Even the neighbouring school, which has remained closed since Friday, did not resume classes.
‘No one asked about my child’
The mother of the six-year-old, who was raped, alleged that the school management had not made a single courtesy call to enquiry about the condition of her daughter. “My daughter is in pain and not even able to walk properly. She is also troubled mentally and not talking to anyone,” she said adding that she wakes up due to nightmares of the “bad teacher”.
The mother denied claims by the management that the school had taken steps to probe her complaint.
She fainted during the protest, but returned within minutes and said that she would stay until she met Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar and the school management.
