A fresh episode of student violence outside a school in Ahmedabad has reignited concerns over safety, supervision and unresolved rivalries among adolescents, barely months after a fatal attack near another city school shook the education system.
This time, a 15-year-old Class 10 student was seriously injured in an assault involving multiple juveniles near National High School in Ghatlodia, prompting police action and a formal inquiry by education authorities.
According to police, the incident unfolded on Monday morning, shortly after school hours, when a group of teenagers confronted the victim near the school gate and dragged him some distance away. CCTV footage from the area reportedly shows the boy being surrounded and attacked with sticks, belts and metal objects. The victim suffered head injuries and heavy bleeding and was rushed to hospital, while two other students also sustained injuries.
Investigators believe the attack was not a sudden flare-up but the result of simmering animosity. Preliminary findings suggest the clash was linked to a quarrel that took place around three months ago, when a verbal argument between students escalated into violence, leaving several teenagers injured. That earlier incident, police said, never reached a clear resolution, allowing tensions to fester.
Family members of the injured student alleged that the assault could have turned fatal, claiming that a knife was also used during the attack and that nearly two dozen youths were involved, including an older sibling of one of the students. They accused the school of failing to respond appropriately, stating that despite visible head injuries, the boy was given minimal first aid and sent home instead of being immediately referred for medical treatment.
According to media reports, the school management has rejected allegations of negligence, maintaining that the injuries were not life-threatening and that necessary care was provided.
Talking to media persons Trustee Ramesh Amin described the episode as an extension of a minor scuffle between two students that spiralled out of control when outsiders became involved. He said the management would cooperate fully with investigators and take disciplinary action against those found responsible.
The incident has drawn inevitable parallels with the September 2025 case outside Seventh Day Adventist School in Khokhra, where a student died following an assault, eventually leading to a sweeping inquiry and the school being taken over by the government. Education officials fear a repeat of systemic lapses if early warning signs are ignored.
In response, the Ahmedabad city district education officer has ordered a detailed inquiry into the Ghatlodia incident, appointing a senior officer to examine the sequence of events, the school’s response, and whether any administrative failures contributed to the violence. The probe is also expected to look into broader issues, including allegations of irregular admissions and the presence of “dummy students” — a practice long debated among educators in connection with competitive exam coaching.
According to sources, statements of students captured in CCTV footage have been recorded and the juveniles involved have been presented before the Juvenile Justice Board.
A case of rioting and causing grievous hurt has been registered, while counselling sessions for students of the school have been initiated with the help of child welfare officials.
Education authorities have also sought a compliance report from the school on safety protocols outside campus premises.
As the investigation continues, the incident has once again raised uncomfortable questions about conflict resolution among students, the role of schools beyond classroom boundaries, and the urgent need for coordinated intervention before teenage rivalries turn violent.
Also Read: More Trouble For Seventh Day School Of Ahmedabad
https://www.vibesofindia.com/more-trouble-for-seventh-day-school-of-ahmedabad/
