Ahmedabad Tense After Student Murder Sparks Mob Violence at Seventh Day School
Ahmedabad, August 20 : Tensions ran high in Ahmedabad on Wednesday after a Class 10 student succumbed to stab injuries inflicted by a Class 8 student at Seventh Day School in Khokhra. The incident, which reportedly stemmed from a minor altercation, escalated into a violent mob outburst involving over 2,000 people, widespread vandalism, and clashes with police.
The stabbing occurred on Tuesday following a scuffle between two students. The younger student, a resident of Shah Alam, allegedly attacked the senior student with a knife inside the school premises. The victim was rushed to a hospital in Maninagar, where he died early Wednesday morning.
News of the death triggered massive public outrage. By 9 AM, large crowds, including the deceased student’s family, had gathered outside the school. Within hours, the protest turned violent. School staff, including the principal, were physically assaulted. Enraged protesters stormed the premises, damaging school property, breaking doors and windows, and smashing parked buses, cars, and two-wheelers.
One staff member was reportedly dragged to the upper floor and beaten. Despite the presence of police officers, the crowd, which swelled to nearly 2,000 by 11 AM, remained uncontrollable for nearly four hours. Attempts by police to negotiate with parents and local residents were unsuccessful, leading to a lathi-charge to disperse the mob. Police were also accused of using force against women protestors, sparking further outrage.
The situation deteriorated further when members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) arrived at the school and joined the protest. Slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” were raised, and the demonstration turned even more aggressive. Clashes between police and ABVP workers were reported, with police seen manhandling protestors, including pulling ABVP leaders by their hair and collars.
By early afternoon, the body of the deceased student, identified as Nayan, was brought to the school before being taken for final rites. His funeral took place at Isanpur crematorium at around 2:30 PM in the presence of over 2,000 mourners. Emotions ran high during the funeral, and further confrontations between women protestors and police occurred. Eyewitnesses alleged that female officers assaulted women during arguments, even in front of senior officials including the JCP Crime, DCP, and Sector 2 JCP, who reportedly did not intervene.
Crime Branch officials were deployed after local police failed to control the situation. The investigation into the murder has been handed over to the Crime Branch. JCP Crime Sharad Singhal and Maninagar MLA Amul Bhatt rushed to the scene and appealed for peace, but the crowd remained agitated for several hours.
The funeral procession passed directly in front of the school where the incident took place. A tight police cordon ensured no untoward incidents occurred during the procession. Despite visible police presence, questions have been raised over the administration’s preparedness and the school’s internal safety protocols.
Parents of the deceased have demanded justice from both the police and the state government. They also criticized the delay in controlling the crowd and the alleged police misconduct. The city continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event, which has sparked a wider debate about student safety, juvenile crime, and accountability in educational institutions.
