'Bsrv Bring Back Kalpesh Sir!': Students Lie Down On Roads, Cause Disruption In Traffic Due To Principal's Transfer In Surat

Violence erupted in Kathodara roads on Saturday morning as students and their parents organized a fiery protest against the hasty transfer of Kalpesh Patel, the popular principal of Government School No. 385. In an outburst of love and unity that was far greater than themselves, the students went onto the streets, disrupting traffic and forcing the police to step in.

There was screaming, weeping, and slogans as hundreds of students and parents had converged at the school gate protesting that the order to transfer Patel be withdrawn. A few of them carried placards and banners with slogans such as "Kalpesh Sir wapas lao!" (Back Kalpesh Sir!) and "Shikshan Mantri hosh mein aao!" (Education Minister wake up!).

"He is not just a principal, he is a father to our children," asserted Meena Patel, whose two sons are studying in the school. "He would sit late at night, assist students with exam preparations, and went extra mile to secure information on the progress of each child. His transfer has shattered our lives."

Situation Escalates

The drama was escalated further when students, in a last-ditch effort to gain publicity, lay down on the central road, stopping traffic movement to a halt. The incidence was most intense when police tried to scatter the crowd, causing clashes with angry parents.

Political Underpinnings: The Bogus Guard Scam

Under the drama of emotion is an aura of administrative scandal. Kalpesh Patel's lateral movement is alleged to be connected with an inquiry into a fake security guard racket that rocked School No. 385. Sources point to a fake transfer of three guards equating a ₹3.67 lakh scam filtered through municipal finances.

Two security personnel, Kalubhai Poshiya and Kaushal Prasad Singrol, are also picked up by Laskana police and are under two-day remand. The government says Patel was shifted to pave the way for a credible inquiry.

Others assert that Patel is framed.

"Punish the guilty, not the innocent," a student cried out in tears. "Sir never accepted corruption. He's targeted for someone else's fault."

Demand for Justice

The protesters have called for the transfer to be cancelled forthwith and a public inquiry into the scandal. Heat has also been turned on Education Minister Prafulla Panseria, who was verbally roasted during the protest.

The local government is in the meantime attempting to soothe tempers, with senior government officials negotiating with community leaders.