Bengaluru schools should be punished for child sex abuse

Bengaluru has been rocked by a series of horrific incidents of sexual molestation of toddlers, mainly girls. City schools and playschools seem unable to ensure the safety of the children in their care. 

Though several of these incidents have come to light now, the pattern emerging appears to indicate years of unreported sexual abuse. This thought rightfully churns the stomach of all parents. 

What is worse is the apparently casual attitude of several of the schools, who continue to insist that they could have done nothing and do not deserve to be 'targetted'. 

Take the case of Manjunath, a play school supervisor recently arrested by the Bengaluru police for child sexual abuse after a child complained that he had molested her private parts. 

But despite pressure from parents, who allege negligence when it was revealed that as many as six toddlers might have been molested by Manjunath,  Dr Veena, school headmistress, Praveen, Kingston remained silent.
 

"Even my daughter had similar pain in her private parts three months ago. Manjunath is responsible for that. If the school had taken serious action, this predator would have been arrested long back, and many children would have been saved, “ a distraught parent told Asianet Newsable.
 

Other parents who spoke to Asianet Newsable said that since many of them were working professionals who depended on play schools, the possibility of sexual abuse in schools has given them nightmares and sleepless nights. 

"As even the playschool has turned into a place for sexual predators, where should we send our children to learn? As both parents have to work in a city like Bengaluru, it is becoming difficult to trust school managements," said another parent.
 

 Even as parental concern grows louder, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Whitefield Zone, Narayan stated that the police want to make the case against Manjunath 'watertight'. To that end, they have raided his house and seized items like CDs, pen drive and vehicle documents. 

 
"A meeting will be held with many parents, and their complaints are being recorded as well," he said.
 

Block Education Officer, Ramesh, said that such play schools are becoming a menace. 

"A person with little money will open such schools in their house, and no rules and regulations are followed. To bring them under the education department’s ambit, a few recommendations also have been sent to the Education Commissioner," said Ramesh.
 

A source from the DCP's office said that over 30 parents had come to meet him and expressed their anguish over school management and asked him to take a strict action.
 

"There are many schools which may also be hiding such cases. We want punishment and the making of the school management and principal as a party in the crime for their criminal negligence as they ignored complaints by parents initially," said a parent. 

Perhaps, that is the only solution to keep the city safe for children. 

 

Bengaluru Watch is a series of stories by Asianet Newsable, telling you the stories from Bengaluru you need to know - the true face of the city.

 

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