Modern School reopens amid protests by students

A signature campaign demanding ouster of the principal of the elite Modern School in Vasant Vihar was launched on Monday, as the institute reopened after a two-day closure following protests by students and parents over the death of Class 12 student Akkriti Bhatia.

A signature campaign demanding ouster of the principal of the elite Modern School in Vasant Vihar was launched on Monday, as the institute reopened after a two-day closure following protests by students and parents over the death of Class 12 student Akkriti Bhatia.

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"The school opened on routine time at 7.40 a.m. and has been functioning normally," principal Goldy Malhotra told IANS.

Agitated over the death of their friend, students launched a signature campaign as soon as the school opened.

"About 150 students have signed the letter demanding resignation of the principal. It has been submitted to the school management," a classmate of Akkriti said.

Akkriti, 17, suffered an asthma attack in the school last Monday and died while she was being taken to hospital. Akkriti's parents are holding the school authorities responsible for her death, saying that the school authorities delayed the move to hospital. They have demanded Malhotra's resignation.

The school was closed on Friday and Saturday after parents and students held protests in school premises Thursday blaming the school authorities for Akkriti's death.

The education department of the Delhi government has ordered an inquiry into Akkriti's death while the school is also conducting an internal inquiry.