Since the construction of a six-feet wall around the temple, the students have been dodging the groping hands of hawkers and passersby on a daily basis.
MUMBAI: Students of Convent Girls High School near Siddhivinayak temple say they dread their daily walk to school. Since the construction of a six-feet wall around the temple, the students have been dodging the groping hands of hawkers and passersby on a daily basis.
“Tuesdays are especially nightmarish as devotees and hawkers throng the narrow lane,” said Ashish Patil, parent of class eight student.
Since it’s become impossible for the school bus to enter the narrow lane, students are dropped off on the main road. This leaves students with no choice but to walk through the lane to reach school.
What raised the hackles of parents was an incident a week ago when a hawker allegedly showed a student explicit photographs. Parents approached school principal Stella Marthi for a solution.
“Several students have complained they were regularly stalked. We have even filed a police complaint at Dadar police station. But until the wall is demolished, our bus will be unable to enter the lane and students will have to walk the distance,” she said.
The principal, along with 800 parents, signed a petition outlining the threat students face and handed it to Vinod Desai, the petitioner who filed a case in the HC seeking demolition of the wall. It will be used as a supportive document in the ongoing case.
“I park my vehicle on the main road and accompany my daughter till the school gate. We don’t want any untoward incident to occur. We hope the wall is demolished,” said Meenal Shinde.
Another parent, Ketan Salve, said if their grievances were not addressed, they would stage a protest near the temple. “I have even shot video clippings of the problems faced by the girls and have submitted it to the local police, but no action has been taken,” he said.
(names of some parents have been changed to protect identities)
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