Rise in Violence Involving School Students in Gujarat

Strategic Insights -

Rising cases of violence among school students in Gujarat have triggered concerns among authorities. The recent incidents include a Class 10 student murdered in Ahmedabad, a Class 8 student stabbed in Balasinor city of Mahisagar, and a Class 9 student threatened with a knife in Bhavnagar. These incidents have been reported in August alone. A fresh incident has now come to light in Junagadh, where four Class 11 and 12 students allegedly thrashed another student in a hostel room over a kabaddi match fight. The police have filed a non-cognizable offence against the four students, and they will be charged under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Key Takeaways:

  • Four students of Classes 11 and 12 of a city school in Junagadh allegedly thrashed another student in a hostel room over a kabaddi match fight on July 27, a day after the altercation during the match.
  • The incident was reported more than a month after it took place, with the police only receiving a complaint from the victim's parents after seeing a video on social media.
  • The four students in question have been held accused of voluntarily causing hurt, which can lead to up to a one-year imprisonment under the BNS Section 115(2) of the Indian Penal Code.
  • The police are yet to identify who uploaded the video on social media and if the school and hostel authorities tried to cover up the incident.
  • This incident is the latest in a series of violent incidents involving school students in Gujarat, following a Class 10 student murdered in Ahmedabad, a Class 8 student stabbed in Balasinor city of Mahisagar, and a Class 9 student threatened with a knife in Bhavnagar in August alone.
  • The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Hitesh Dhandaliya has assured that action will be taken under the Juvenile Justice Act against the four students involved.

Statistics:

  • 4: The number of students accused of voluntarily causing hurt in the Junagadh incident.
  • 1: The maximum possible imprisonment period for voluntarily causing hurt under the BNS Section 115(2) of the Indian Penal Code.
  • 3: The number of violent incidents involving school students in Gujarat in August alone (Class 10 student murdered in Ahmedabad, a Class 8 student stabbed in Balasinor city of Mahisagar, and a Class 9 student threatened with a knife in Bhavnagar).

Sources:

  • "Police file FIR in case of minor assaulted by classmates over kabaddi match," *The Indian Express*.
  • "Gujarat: 4 Class 11, 12 students booked for allegedly thrashing minor over kabaddi match," *The Indian Express*.