Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 24 Oct: Protests erupted outside a prestigious school on Teg Bahadur Road today after allegations of molestation and inappropriate conduct involving a student surfaced, with members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and Congress workers demanding action against the accused teacher and the school management. Demonstrators today alleged that despite the seriousness of the complaint, no criminal case has been registered against the teacher for several days, prompting them to stage a protest outside the school premises.
Meanwhile, the district administration said the process of registering an FIR has been initiated after the student submitted a written complaint to the police. The officials also claimed that the Child Welfare Committee, constituted by the district administration, has contacted the student and her family following the emergence of the allegations. City Magistrate Rakesh Tiwari said the children and their guardians were initially reluctant to come forward due to social sensitivities surrounding the matter. However, after counselling and discussions by the Child Welfare Committee, the student has submitted a formal complaint, on the basis of which the police are proceeding with the registration of an FIR under relevant legal provisions.
Tiwari said that the incident was extremely serious and that a detailed investigation was being conducted. He noted that students’ organisations had also protested, alleging non-cooperation by the school management. He added that if any memorandum is submitted by the student groups, the district administration would have the matter examined further and appropriate action would be initiated through the Education Department.
Emphasising the responsibility of educational institutions, Tiwari reminded that a school serves as a second home for children after their families and that institutions must ensure both education and safety. He said no one should attempt to evade accountability and that responsibility must be fixed wherever required. He confirmed that the school management has suspended the accused teacher pending inquiry and that the matter is under investigation.
The accused teacher, meanwhile, also issued a statement through social media, presenting his version of events. He said that during his 25-year teaching career, he had never faced such allegations before. Stating that he has always treated students like his own sons and daughters, the teacher said that if any student felt hurt or believed a mistake had been committed on his part, he was prepared to apologise.
The controversy has also acquired a political dimension, with Congress workers holding a sit-in protest outside the school under the leadership of Uttarakhand Congress Committee PCC member and state secretary Vineet Prasad Bhatt. The protesters alleged not only inappropriate conduct by the teacher but also accused the school director of attempting to intimidate and pressure the student after the complaint was lodged.
Vineet Prasad Bhatt said the matter was extremely serious, particularly in view of claims that 15 girl students had submitted a written complaint to the school principal. He said if such a large number of students had come forward with allegations, the responsibility of the school management and concerned authorities became even greater. He asserted that the Congress would not tolerate any attempt to suppress the matter, ignore complaints or exert pressure on students. He also referred to allegations made by the student’s family regarding the conduct of the school director following the complaint.
According to the family’s account, the student and her mother approached the school management on 23 October and submitted a complaint against the teacher. The family has claimed that the complaint carried the signatures of 15 girl students. They further alleged that a complaint had also been submitted against the teacher on 15 October, following which the management had assured them of action. However, instead of taking action, the family has accused the school administration of exerting pressure on the student. They have also alleged that the school director sided with the teacher during the course of the dispute.
The family has demanded the dismissal of the accused teacher and sought a public apology from the school director before all students during the school assembly. With the student’s complaint now formally submitted to the police and the accused teacher already suspended, all eyes are now on the police investigation and administrative inquiry into the allegations.
