On August 19, a tragic incident occurred at the Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where a Hindu student was allegedly murdered by a junior Muslim student. The incident sparked widespread outrage, and the accused student has since been arrested.
In the aftermath, the victim’s family, joined by members of the ‘Jan Akrosh Wali Mandal Sangharsh Samiti’, has submitted formal applications to various authorities, including the Ahmedabad District Education Officer (DEO), the Mayor, the Standing Committee, and the AMC Commissioner. They are demanding strict action against the school administration, holding it accountable for the failure to prevent such violence. The family stated that their efforts are aimed at ensuring justice for their child and preventing similar tragedies from occurring in other educational institutions.
The application was officially filed on August 28, 2025. A copy of the complaint submitted to the Mayor and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) reveals that a series of disturbing incidents have reportedly occurred at the Seventh Day Adventist School following the leasing of government land to the institution by the AMC. The application also raises serious allegations of religious conversions being carried out at the school. Citing these concerns, the complainants have demanded the immediate cancellation of the land lease and called for the demolition of what they claim to be illegally constructed property.
Additionally, a separate application submitted to the District Education Officer (DEO) has called for the school’s recognition to be revoked without delay and for the institution to be brought under direct government control. The application alleges that various criminal activities have occurred on the school premises in the past, but the administration failed to take any meaningful action. It also claims that prior complaints were made about students allegedly bringing weapons to school, yet no steps were taken by the authorities to address the issue.
During their meeting with officials, the parents of the deceased student described their son as “heroic” and urged authorities to take strict action to prevent such incidents from happening to other students in the future.
While addressing the AMC Commissioner, the victim’s father stated that his son’s soul would only find peace once appropriate action is taken against the school. Emphasising the need for accountability, the parents said, “The AMC must take firm action and set a strong precedent so that no other student has to make such a sacrifice.” The student’s mother also demanded that responsible officials be held accountable and brought to justice.
The chairman of the Jan Aakrosh Wali Mandal Sangharsh Samiti confirmed that formal complaints have been submitted to the District Education Officer (DEO), the Mayor, and the AMC Commissioner in connection with the brutal killing of a Hindu student. The complaints call for the immediate cancellation of the Seventh Day Adventist School’s recognition, citing negligence on the part of the institution. Additionally, they demand the termination of the AMC’s land lease to the school, alleging violations of the lease conditions. The chairman further urged the government to take over the school to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Meanwhile, the mother of the deceased student stated that she has formally requested the cancellation of the school’s recognition and has approached senior authorities in this regard. “We have pleaded with the authorities, with folded hands, to take strict and appropriate action against this school,” she said. While she noted that the initial response from officials has been satisfactory, she emphasised the need for swift and decisive action. She added that she remains hopeful justice will be served and meaningful steps will be taken.
As previously reported, the Seventh Day Adventist School has been at the centre of multiple controversies over the years. In 2016, the school drew public outrage after a teacher allegedly assaulted a 4th-grade student for simply speaking to a classmate during an examination. The incident raised serious concerns about the school’s disciplinary practices. Further allegations have surfaced regarding the school’s Moral Science curriculum, which some claim is intentionally designed to influence Hindu students towards Christianity.
In October 2024, the school once again made headlines when it reportedly took around 200 students on an unauthorised trip, without obtaining prior permission from the District Education Office, a clear violation of government regulations. The school is operated by a foreign church, which has also drawn criticism and added to the ongoing scrutiny of its functioning and adherence to local laws and norms.
