In a significant development from Badlapur in Maharashtra’s Thane district, a school principal and two staff members have been suspended following allegations of sexual assault on two young students. This decision came amid escalating protests by enraged parents, their supporters, and local residents. The protests, which began early on Tuesday morning, have led to severe disruptions at Badlapur railway station, with demonstrators blocking train services and demanding immediate and stringent action against those involved.
The unrest started when news broke of the alleged sexual assault involving two kindergarten girls, aged three and four, at the school. Reports indicate that the abuse occurred on August 17 in the school toilet. The victims reportedly disclosed the abuse to their parents, who then filed a complaint with the police. Following the complaint, a school attendant was arrested on charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Thane Police acted swiftly in response, leading to the attendant’s arrest and initiating legal proceedings.
The situation quickly intensified as news of the incident spread. By 8 am on Tuesday, protesters began gathering at the Badlapur railway station, demanding action and expressing their anger over the school’s handling of the situation. The protest grew in size, and by 10.10 am, train services were halted at the station due to the blockade. The protestors’ actions were not only aimed at seeking justice for the victims but also at drawing attention to the failure of local authorities to address the issue promptly.
In support of the protest, many local shops and establishments closed for the day, and the school involved in the incident was also shut. The unrest saw an angry mob storm the school, causing significant damage by breaking windows, chairs, and other furniture.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde intervened by appealing for calm, noting that the rail blockade was causing inconvenience to the public and disrupting local train services. He assured that the case would be fast-tracked and that the accused would be charged under the POCSO Act. The Chief Minister also confirmed that the accused had been arrested.
Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to the crisis by ordering an inquiry led by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), overseen by senior IPS officer Aarti Singh. This move was aimed at ensuring a thorough investigation and accountability.
In response to the incident and ensuing protests, the school’s management issued a public apology and suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant. Additionally, the school announced it would blacklist the firm responsible for providing housekeeping staff and promised to enhance security measures, including installing CCTV cameras and improving vigilance on the premises.
The Thane Rural Police also faced scrutiny for their delayed response, leading to the reassignment of the police station in-charge who was accused of failing to act promptly when the parents first approached with the complaint.
Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar emphasized that the government has instructed the school to implement stringent measures and ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future. He underscored that severe punishment would be pursued for the accused and highlighted the need for better surveillance and reporting mechanisms within schools to safeguard children.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about school safety and the adequacy of existing protocols to protect young students, prompting calls for systemic reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.
