In a disturbing turn of events in Badlapur, Maharashtra, a school principal and two staff members from a Thane district school have been suspended following allegations of sexual abuse involving two young girls. Since Tuesday morning, outraged parents have been protesting at the local railway station, demanding stringent action against those responsible.Protests disrupt train servicesThe incident has sparked widespread anger, leading hundreds of parents and local residents to take drastic measures. Around 8 a.m., they occupied the tracks at Badlapur railway station, bringing train services to a standstill on both Up and Down routes. The blockade continues, with no immediate resolution in sight.महाराष्ट्र में ठाणे के बदलापुर में पुलिस और प्रदर्शनकारियों के बीच हिंसक झड़प चल रही है क्योंकि प्रदर्शनकारी स्कूल के टॉयलेट में 4 वर्ष की 2 बच्चियों का यौन शोषण करने वाले आरोपी के विरुद्ध सख़्त कार्रवाई की मांग कर रहे है, आरोपी की पहचान अक्षय शिंदे के रूप में हुई है!#Badlapur… pic.twitter.com/7VaBNo9FLn— Zakir Ali Tyagi (@ZakirAliTyagi) August 20, 2024Allegations and arrestsThe controversy erupted on August 17 when police arrested a school attendant accused of sexually abusing two kindergarten girls, aged three and four, in the schools restroom. The young victims reported the inappropriate behavior to their parents, prompting the filing of a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The attendant was quickly taken into custody.In response to these serious allegations, the schools management took decisive action late Monday, suspending the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant, all of whom were deemed accountable for the incident. The management also issued a public apology and terminated their contract with the housekeeping firm involved. They pledged to implement heightened security measures on the school premises to prevent future incidents.4 साल की दो बच्चियों का स्कूल के बाथरूम में अक्षय शिंदे ने किया यौन शोषणबदलापुर के स्कूल में अक्षय शिंदे सफाई कर्मी है।दो बच्चियों के गुप्तांगो में दर्द हुआ, परिवार वालों ने पूछा तो उन्होंने बताया कि टॉयलेट जाने पर सफाई कर्मी ने उनके गुप्तांगों को दबाया.बच्चियों इतनी डरी… pic.twitter.com/JeRjBXlz3T— Kavish Aziz (@azizkavish) August 20, 2024Police and community reactionThe fallout from the incident has also affected local law enforcement. The Badlapur police station in-charge was reassigned after allegations emerged that he had failed to act when the parents first sought assistance.This morning, a large group of parents gathered outside the school, demanding justice and harsher punishments for those involved. The demonstrators, many of whom were women, carried banners and placards as they blocked the railway tracks, chanting slogans to voice their demands. Authorities are struggling to contain the protests, with efforts ongoing to find a resolution.महाराष्ट्र के बदलापुर में स्कूल के बाथरूम में 4 साल की दो बच्चियों का यौन शोषण हुआ। इस मामले में स्कूल का सफाईकर्मी अक्षय शिंदे गिरफ्तार हुआ है। भीड़ ने आरोपी को पीटा।विरोध में आज बदलापुर बंद है। लोगों ने रास्ते, रेलवे ट्रैक जाम कर दिए हैं। पुलिस पर भी पथराव हुआ है। pic.twitter.com/TD5SkiT4l0— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) August 20, 2024Central Railways chief public relations officer, Swapnil Nila, confirmed that the protests at the railway station are directly linked to the school incident in Badlapur. In response to the growing unrest, several organizations have called for a bandh in Badlapur to press for justice.Local MLA Kisan Kathore has publicly urged authorities to take firm action against both the accused and the police officers who failed to respond appropriately, highlighting the communitys demand for accountability and swift justice.
