Family members and concerned citizens demand an impartial investigation into allegations of physical and mental harassment of a Class V student.
Barak Bani Digital Desk, Silchar, May 28: A serious controversy has emerged surrounding Holy Cross School in Silchar, one of the city’s prominent private educational institutions. An official complaint has finally been lodged at Rangirkhari Police Station against the school principal and class teacher, Kumkum Nath. The complaint was filed by a guardian named Mampi Sharma( Karmakar), whose child is a student of Class V at the school. The allegations include both physical and mental harassment, which have already sparked concern and outrage among many parents and members of the public.
According to the complaint, on May 16, during school hours, a Class V student was allegedly assaulted by a fellow student. After returning home, family members reportedly noticed visible injury marks on the child’s face. The family further alleged that the response of the school authorities after the incident was far from satisfactory. Instead of treating the matter with the seriousness it deserved, there are allegations that attempts were made to downplay or avoid responsibility for the incident.
The incident has raised several important questions. Parents send their children to educational institutions with the expectation of a safe, disciplined, and supportive environment. If a student is allegedly assaulted within the school premises itself, it is only natural for concerns regarding the safety and security of children to intensify. Many parents have pointed out that the responsibility of an educational institution extends beyond academics. Ensuring the physical safety, emotional well-being, and humane treatment of students is equally important. Any negligence or lack of accountability in this regard is deeply concerning.
As the controversy continues to grow, many citizens and guardians are demanding an impartial investigation and strict legal action against those found responsible. At the heart of the issue lies a broader social concern. Schools are expected to provide children not only with education, but also with values, confidence, and emotional security. However, when allegations involving student safety, mental pressure, and lack of cooperation toward complainants emerge against an institution itself, the matter can no longer be viewed merely as an internal issue of the school.
According to the family, after the alleged assault, the matter was immediately brought to the attention of the school authorities. Photographs of the injured child were reportedly shared, the concerned teacher was contacted, and the principal was informed. However, the family alleges that no visible inquiry, written explanation, or accountability process followed. Instead, they claim that efforts were made to minimize the seriousness of the incident and suppress the matter.
One of the most alarming aspects of the allegations concerns the child’s mental well-being. The family claims that certain remarks were made in the presence of the student that could deeply affect the confidence and emotional state of a young child. According to the allegations, the student was told that his future was “dark” because his parents “blindly trusted him.”
Education is meant to help students become confident, courageous, and aware individuals. Therefore, any allegation suggesting that a child was mentally discouraged or frightened regarding his future deserves serious attention. Although the allegations have not yet been independently verified, the gravity of the matter cannot be ignored. The role of an educational institution is not limited to completing academic syllabi; it also includes nurturing students in a safe, positive, and confidence-building environment. Teachers and school authorities are expected to encourage students, guide them through mistakes, and provide emotional support during difficult situations.
In this context, if any negative or discouraging remarks were indeed made to a young student regarding his future, it raises serious concerns about the values of sensitivity, humanity, and responsibility within the educational system itself. Words spoken to children often leave long-lasting psychological impacts. The parents have also alleged that the school’s attitude changed after they demanded a fair investigation. According to them, discussions regarding a Transfer Certificate (TC) were brought up. While no official statement from the school authorities has yet been made on this matter, the allegation has raised concerns about whether families who file complaints are being indirectly pressured to leave the institution. If such perceptions grow, it could discourage other parents from reporting future incidents.
The allegations do not end there. The family further claims that when the injured student attended school the following day, he was allegedly made to stand outside the classroom for some time, and later his section was changed. Questions have now arisen over whether these actions were administrative necessities or consequences of raising complaints. Transparency and proper explanation are essential in any administrative decision involving a child.
The parents have also raised concerns regarding messages allegedly circulating in school WhatsApp groups, which they claim appeared intimidating or pressure-oriented. Although the authenticity and context of those messages have not yet been independently verified, the allegations have generated concerns regarding the misuse of social media and group communication systems.
The incident has also triggered a larger debate: should protecting an institution’s reputation take precedence over a child’s mental well-being and safety? While the reputation of educational institutions is undoubtedly important, the most effective way to preserve that reputation is through transparency, accountability, and prompt investigation of complaints not by denying or suppressing them.
Mental pressure, insecurity, and academic stress among children and teenagers are already increasing in today’s society. Experts repeatedly emphasize that teachers and educational institutions must behave with exceptional sensitivity. A negative remark or public humiliation can sometimes leave a lasting psychological impact on a child.
Based on these allegations, the student’s guardian has reportedly decided to pursue legal action. The parent stated that the fight for the child’s safety and justice would continue until the end, and also appealed to other parents and conscious citizens to stand in support. Meanwhile, concerns have intensified further as no official response has reportedly been issued by the school authorities even nearly ten days after the allegations surfaced. Attempts were allegedly made to contact the institution, but its position on the matter has not yet been made public.
However, from the standpoint of journalistic ethics and responsibility, it is important to clarify that all allegations mentioned above are currently based on the statements of the complainants, and the official response of the concerned school authorities has not yet been publicly available. Therefore, only a fair administrative or legal investigation can establish the actual truth of the matter.
Attention is now focused on the administration and investigating authorities , whether the allegations will be treated with the seriousness they deserve, whether child protection and school management standards will be effectively enforced, and most importantly, whether adequate sensitivity will be shown in safeguarding the dignity, safety, and emotional well-being of a child.
Because education does not merely teach lessons from books; it also teaches trust, respect, and security. And once that trust is broken, no result sheet or promotional campaign can truly repair the damage. Meanwhile, police at Rangirkhari Police Station have reportedly initiated an investigation based on the complaint. The public is now closely watching what facts emerge from the investigation and what position the school authorities ultimately take regarding the allegations.
Barak Bani Dainik
