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A 7-year-old boy was murdered last week in a place that should have been a safe haven for him – his school. It is heart-wrenching, to say the least.
The accused has been arrested.
The school principal has been suspended.
The Education minister of Haryana has issued a statement about "next steps."
The Commissioner of Police held a press conference to talk about the action that will be taken against the accused and other details within seven days.
The questions that still beg answers are:
- Why are reactive measures being taken now?
- Is there nothing called proactive monitoring by educational institutions, the government, the education ministry and related authorities?
- Does the government proactively seek a quarterly report on security steps taken by all schools? If yes, how is it that such unacceptable crimes are taking place?
- Do the government, police and relevant authorities conduct a proactive audit of compliance across every single security parameter in schools? If yes, how is it that grievous lapses are occurring with alarming regularity?
Why do the relevant authorities wait for a crime and then talk about steps being taken?
- Why is a surprise check of all schools being ordered only after a heinous crime has been committed?
- Why do bus conductors and drivers have access to children's washrooms?
- Do schools update parents regularly about security steps?
- Why do the relevant authorities wait for a crime and then talk about steps being taken?
- Why is background check of all school staff taken so lightly even when the lives of the most vulnerable, the little children, are at stake?
- How many more innocent lives will be lost in this culture of reactive measures?
- Are citizens supposed to feel comforted that all authorities are now swinging into action, after the crime?
Who will provide answers to parents whose hearts are gripped with fear?
Who will answer the parents of this little boy? Will any answers suffice at all?