The parents of approximately seven to eight children, mostly boys from Stds I to V at Muktangan English School and Junior College, in Parvati, have alleged that these students experienced ragging and sexual harassment by senior students in Stds IX, X, and the junior college. The parents have registered a complaint at Parvati police station, and unknown individuals have been booked under the POCSO Act. The police are trying to identify the accused.

Senior Inspector Jairam Paigude said, “It has now become a political issue.” He added that so far no one has come forward to register a complaint against the school authorities. The issue came to light when Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party workers, accompanied by around a hundred parents whose children study at the school, stormed its   premises on Monday.

“Children from my son’s class came forward complaining that senior students took them to the bathroom. The seniors instructed the children inappropriately there,” said a parent whose son is in Std I. He said that these incidents have been happening for the past two months, and the school did not pay heed to parents who had complained to the management.

A parent said that the school has taken action against the headmaster and a few staffers for negligence. However, school authorities have remained unavailable for comment. MNS worker Vikrant Amrale, who led the protests at the school, said the children are frightened at the moment. “Parents reached out to us, and we will pursue this issue till they want us to. We will be heading there again to ensure the school implements safety mechanisms and imparts good touch and bad touch education, which has not been happening,” he said.

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