Palghar: A dispute over the issuance of school leaving certificates escalated into violence on Wednesday at Mother Velankani School in Nalasopara East, as members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) allegedly assaulted the principal and attempted to vandalise school property.
The altercation began when a group of parents, supported by MNS workers, confronted the school management, accusing them of withholding transfer certificates for students who had recently completed their Class 10 examinations. The certificates are mandatory for students seeking admission to higher secondary schools.
According to school officials, a student who arrived on Tuesday to collect his certificate was asked to submit a formal application, following standard procedure. Later, his parents returned accompanied by MNS activists, demanding immediate release of the documents.
“When we requested them to follow the process, they forcibly entered the campus and began creating a disturbance. Some of the MNS women workers physically assaulted me and damaged school property,” alleged Principal Asha D’Souza.
The situation quickly spiraled out of control as more MNS supporters gathered at the school premises. Reports suggest that staff members attempted to prevent the unruly mob from entering the building, leading to heated confrontations.
MNS city coordinator Ravindra Patekar, however, defended his party’s actions, accusing the school management of high-handedness. “We were there only to seek clarification on behalf of the parents. Instead, the school staff behaved aggressively, brandishing footwear and shoving our female workers, which led to the scuffle,” he said.
Officers from Tulinj Police Station promptly arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. “The premises have been secured and normalcy restored. We have received preliminary complaints from both sides and further investigation is underway,” said Police Inspector Bankar.
Authorities have assured parents that student documents will be processed in accordance with prescribed guidelines.
