Surat: A minor dispute escalated into violence on Tuesday when a Class 11 student allegedly chased down and attacked a Class 12 commerce student with an iron rod about 100 meters from the gates of Sheth Dhanjisha Rustamji Umrigar Memorial School, evoking memories of the Seventh Day Adventist incident.
According to sources, tensions had been building between two groups of Class 11 and 12 students, with the accused Class 11 student reportedly holding a grudge from an earlier confrontation. As the Class 12 student cycled home with a friend, the assailant followed in an auto-rickshaw, jumped out with an iron rod, and struck the victim, causing serious injuries to his hands, head, and face. The assault ended when the victim’s friend snatched the rod from the attacker.
On Wednesday morning, the victim’s parents arrived at the school carrying his CT scan report and the iron rod said to have been used in the assault. The incident triggered anger among parents, who gathered outside the school in large numbers some holding rods and demanded immediate suspension of the accused student, accusing the school of negligence. “If the school doesn’t act now, tomorrow it could be someone else’s child,” a parent said.
Parents alleged that despite being alerted a day earlier, the school began its inquiry only 16 hours after the attack. Principal Vilas Pathak said the school has called in the parents of both students and initiated an inquiry.
Also read: Teen’s Chilling Messages Reveal Mindset Behind Fatal Stabbing at Ahmedabad School
The school is also examining how the weapon was accessed. With construction work underway on the campus, sticks and rods may have been scattered around the premises, potentially enabling the assault.
Violence among minors a growing concern
Psychiatrist Dr Pradhyuman Chaudhary of Sola Civil Hospital said youth violence has been on the rise over the past decade. He noted that children exposed to trauma, neglect, poverty, or violence at home are more vulnerable to aggression, and that witnessing violence can significantly affect development. While some develop anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem, others may resort to aggression to cope with rejection and frustration. He added that online exposure to violent content, the influence of video games, loss of community support, the glorification of popularity over wisdom on social media, and increasing substance abuse are fueling this trend.
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