We will never forgive the school: parents

Dhruvin Dhaggal would have turned seven on August 16. But now his birthday will be a harsh reminder of his horrific death. Dhruvin, a Class 2 student of Ryan International School in Kharghar, was run over by the same school bus that dropped him home, while his mother watched helplessly from the balcony of their home in Sector 27 on Thursday. G Mohiuddin Jeddy reports

Dhruvin Dhaggal would have turned seven on August 16. But now his birthday will be a harsh reminder of his horrific death. Dhruvin, a Class 2 student of Ryan International School in Kharghar, was run over by the same school bus that dropped him home, while his mother watched helplessly from the balcony of their home in Sector 27 on Thursday.

Dhruvin got off and ran across the front of the bus, but the driver did not notice him and started the bus.

While the police have booked the driver and cleaner for rash driving and negligence, Dhruvin’s parents blame the school.

"The school principal has not yet met or spoken to us. I have nothing against the driver and cleaner, but I cannot forgive the school. I will act against them so that this does not happen to anybody else," said Dhruvin’s father, Parthesh Dhaggal a public relations consultant. Dhruvin’s funeral was held late on Thursday night.

The school was shut on Friday for Gokulashtami. An official at the school refused to comment and said the principal would talk on the issue.

Parthesh added that parents had complained about the school bus earlier too, but to no avail.

"When parents complained, the school asked them to talk to the bus contractor. We are paying the school not the contractor," added Parthesh. "I have seen the cleaner driving the bus near our complex. Children too have complained about the driver being rude."

Dhruvin’s mother, Kinjal, vividly recalls the moment the bus ran over her firstborn.

"The driver hit my child and ran away," she repeats.

"Around seven students alighted and crossed the lane from behind the bus, but my son crossed from the front. The students behind the bus screamed but the driver failed to hear them. It’s the cleaner’s responsibility to leave the students inside their compounds. Previously, a teacher was on board the bus, but that too has stopped."