In curious Himachal case, Rampur DAV School mgmt accused of siding with 2 men who assaulted teacher

SHIMLA: The assault on a music teacher at DAV School in Rampur subdivision of Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla district has sparked widespread outrage, with growing allegations against the school management for allegedly shielding the accused.

Hundreds of concerned parents staged a massive protest rally, demanding strict action and calling out the administration’s delayed and inadequate response.

The controversy erupted following an incident on February 11, when a father-son duo stormed into the school office and physically assaulted music teacher TR Kashyap and a clerk.

The attack was reportedly triggered by a minor injury sustained by the accused’s child while playing at school. Despite the fact that the teacher was not at fault — a fact confirmed during an internal investigation that found no visible injuries or complaints from the child — the duo took matters into their own hands.

Parents demand accountability, hold protest

Adding fuel to the fire was the school management’s delayed action. A formal police complaint was filed only a week after the incident, leading to accusations that the administration tried to downplay the matter.

Protesters alleged that the management succumbed to political pressure, with reports of a political leader’s personal assistant calling the principal to suppress the issue.

On Friday, a large crowd of parents and community members marched from Chaudhary Adda through the main market to the school, holding placards and chanting slogans against the DAV School administration.

They accused the school of prioritizing its image over the safety of its staff and students, while also protecting disruptive elements.

“If teachers aren’t safe within school premises, how can we expect our children to be?” questioned Meena Joshi, panchayat committee member, who also criticised the school’s silence and called for complete transparency.

CCTV footage reveals truth

CCTV footage from the school played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion. One clip captured the child’s minor fall during class, revealing no serious injury, while another showed the violent altercation inside the school office. Despite this clear evidence, the management’s sluggish response fueled public anger.

An internal inquiry team from the DAV management later visited the school and met with staff and parents. However, the damage had already been done — TR Kashyap, the assaulted music teacher, resigned from his post, citing a lack of institutional support and financial constraints in pursuing legal action.

Legal case and allegations of political influence

After widespread protests, a formal case was finally registered against Pradeep Chauhan, a hardware shop owner from Racholi, and his father, who were directly involved in the assault.

Protesters alleged that the school initially protected the culprits instead of filing a case and hinted at political interference in the entire episode.

Activist Rana Da Viper criticised the management, saying, “When hooligans can walk into a school and assault teachers without immediate consequences, how can we trust this institution with our children’s safety?” He demanded strict legal action and called for reforms in school security protocols.

The protestors raised broader concerns about the lack of basic safety measures within the school, questioning its ability to protect both students and staff. Many parents even demanded a temporary closure of Rampur DAV School until proper safety protocols are established.

The controversy has now grown beyond the initial incident, shining a spotlight on systemic issues within the school’s management. Parents and community leaders have vowed to continue their protests until justice is served and the school ensures a safer environment for all.

TNR