Ryan school abuse incident: Sexual assault on children in schools horrifying, say parents

Ever since the incident at Ryan International School, Gurgaon, where an eight-year-old boy was found sexually abused and grievously injured in the school’s washroom, the issue of child safety in school — or the lack of it — has jolted everyone. Celebrities have joined in the discussions, too, hoping to effect change.

Actor Renuka Shahane recently posted a long message on her Facebook, expressing her shock, horror and dismay at the news of two school children in Delhi being affected due to lack of safety — the other incident is of a five-year-old girl who was raped by a peon in the toilet of her school in Gandhi Nagar, East Delhi. The question that Renuka asks in her post — How do we make things safe for our kids? — looms large.

Actor Adil Hussain has signed an online petition to Make Schools Safe For Children. (Yogen Shah)

Delhi-based actor Adil Hussain says, “I just signed a petition on Change.org — Make Schools Safe For Children. We need to understand the mindset of these criminals. I believe this is happening because we lack a value system. We need to think why are children being targeted sexually? Our education only provides skills to get a job. So, we’re a nation full of skilled workers but what we need to create is quality human beings. We need to radically change the education system.”

Sonalika Sahay, Delhi-based model and mother of two young daughters, says, “We, as parents, expect schools to not only take responsibility for our kids’ education but also [of] their safety. I feel it’s important to keep a check on those things even more now. Times are changing, and so are people. We need extra care.”

Model Sonalika Sahay, who has two young daughters, feels that changing times mean extra caution.

Vijender Singh, boxing champ and father to a four-year-old boy, says in fury, “Seeing this news, I was so angry! The school is to be blamed. How can they hire a person involved in any criminal activities, be it a teacher or a chaprasi (peon)? The Indian government should ban the school. Another five-year-old girl was raped. Come on, when will this stop?”

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