A tragic incident at Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad on 19 August 2025 has ignited widespread anger and prompted a police investigation a Hindu student was fatally stabbed by a junior Muslim student on the school premises. The suspect has been arrested, and authorities are probing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to initial reports, the Muslim student has attacked the Hindu student during school hours, and the victim later died during medical treatment that same evening. The victim’s family and local community members have held protests, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the school administration’s handling of the situation.
The victim’s family has accused the school of gross negligence. They allege that staff delayed taking the injured student to the hospital, which may have worsened his condition. Additionally, the family claims that instead of prioritizing medical assistance, school staff attempted to clean the crime scene, possibly compromising key evidence. Police are investigating these claims, including who may have tampered with the scene a potentially serious offense under Indian law.
School’s Controversial Past
This isn’t the first time the school has faced scrutiny. In 2016, the institution drew criticism after a teacher, Moses Adla, allegedly physically assaulted a fourth-grade student during an examination. Reports suggested the teacher pulled the student by the hair and hit him, causing facial injuries. Following parental protests, the school suspended the teacher. At the time, locals claimed he had previously assaulted several other students. A police case was filed at Khokhara police station.
In October 2024, the school again made headlines when it reportedly took around 200 students on an unauthorized field trip without notifying or seeking approval from the District Education Office. The incident was considered a violation of government rules, prompting the department to issue a legal notice and file a complaint with police.
Allegations of Harassment and Religious Bias
Following the recent student’s death, further serious allegations have emerged. The victim’s grandfather told the reporters that his grandson had been facing harassment by fellow students for weeks. This was reportedly communicated to the school administration in advance, but no preventive action was taken.
Additional claims have surfaced from a school cab driver, who allegedly filmed instances of Hindu students being targeted by Muslim peers. According to him, these videos were shown to school officials, but they failed to respond appropriately. There are also unverified allegations from parents that students were pressured to convert to Christianity or Islam, with complaints of religious harassment dating back several months.
Some parents further claim the Moral Science curriculum subtly encourages conversion, and others allege that certain staff members offered academic promotions in exchange for bribes, reportedly as high as ₹2 lakh.
The deceased student’s grandfather also alleged that some Muslim students once misled vegetarian Hindu students by offering them non-vegetarian food disguised as paneer. When this came to light, it caused significant unrest among the affected families. However, the school administration allegedly did not take any formal action in response.
Management and Oversight
The school is managed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church Organisation, which operates under the Ashlock Trust, part of a global educational network headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. The Adventist network oversees over 7,800 educational institutions worldwide.
The school adheres to the policies and religious principles of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and religious doctrine is said to influence school regulations and educational content.
The school’s principal, G. Immanuel, has also come under fire. Parents allege that he was made aware of earlier bullying and violent incidents but failed to intervene. The school is affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) and the Gujarat Board. Notably, Emmanuel also serves as the President of CISCE, raising concerns over a potential conflict of interest. Critics argue that this dual role may hinder impartial investigation or disciplinary action.
No official statement has been issued by Principal Emmanuel regarding the current case. The police investigation is ongoing, and authorities are expected to release further information as it becomes available.
(With Inputs From OpIndia)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally
