While the Delhi Government refused to acknowledge on Thursday that eve-teasing and molestation contributed to the stampede at the school in Khajuri Khas in North-East Delhi that led to the death of five girl students, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president and North-East Delhi Member of Parliament J.P. Agarwal asserted following a visit to the school that this indeed was “an open fact”.
“It is an open fact that the boys had entered the classrooms of the girls and misbehaved with them,” said Mr. Agarwal.
Stating that such an incident happening here was unthinkable and shameful, he said it was very sad that be it schools or the infrastructure around them, Delhi still had a long way to go. “The conditions around and inside the school are pathetic.”
“There is slush on the road leading up to the school and inside the school also there was water and mud all around. It was indeed in poor shape and the rooms appeared like rat holes. Moreover, there was one narrow staircase that led up to the first floor of the school building and it appeared grossly inadequate for the number of students that are enrolled in the school,” said the senior Congress leader.
Demanding strong action against those responsible for the tragedy, Mr. Agarwal expressed sorrow over the death of the five girl students. He said the compensation announced was inadequate and should be enhanced to Rs.5 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs.2 lakh each for the injured.
“There is also a need to ensure that such incidents do not recur and for this it is important that all the schools are provided with a proper infrastructure and security,” Mr. Agarwal said, demanding that the Delhi Government constitute a committee to improve the conditions at schools in North-East Delhi and sanction necessary funds for the maintenance and upkeep of all government schools.
Meanwhile, a senior Delhi Government functionary denied that the incident had anything to do with misbehaviour with the girls: “These things are mere hearsay and one should not forget that in this area very often such rumours are spread to settle scores with Principals and teachers. Still, the magisterial report will be out in four days and if these reports are found to be true, then we would not protect anyone and punish the culprits.”
