The unreported version: DAV clarifies on MMS scandal

Over the past five days there have been several reports on the alleged MMS scandal in DAV Public School, Safilguda, where a Class IX boy supposedly filmed a Class II girl in the washroom. The school principal explains the exact sequence of events and how a certain section of the media “jumped the gun”

“It’s a crude joke. Everybody is jumping the gun. How can media play this type of a game?” lamented Seetha Kiran, the principal of DAV Public School, Safilguda, over the alleged MMS scandal that rocked the school.

On Monday there were reports that a Class IX student shared an MMS of a Class II girl inside the washroom.

Clarifying the news, the principal narrated what exactly transpired.

“The girl went to the washroom on November 17 (Monday) with a friend and a boy entered. She reported this matter to her parents, who in turn informed the school on November 20 with a request that their daughter should not be put through an identification parade and let the incident out. We immediately began to investigate covertly as it was a sensitive matter. The only clue the child could give was that boy who entered was wearing long blue pants, which is the uniform of Classes VII-X. This is exactly what happened. There was no video or MMS taken,” she explained.

There were reports that the accused boy had followed the girl a few days ago, cut her hair and misbehaved with her. Commenting on this, Seetha Kiran said, “It was reported that a case has been filed against the accused boy. But we ourselves are yet to indentify the boy behind the incident. Yes, there was an incident a few days ago where a boy played a prank on a girl and cut her hair with a pair of scissors. But those are two separate incidents. They are not connected.”

Throwing light on the role of parents who protested in front of the school when the incident was reported, Seetha Kiran said, “On that day, there were many people who posed as parents and protested outside the school. But all of them were members of student unions. While it was divulged that a case has been filed against the school for the incident, it is we who requested the Malkajgiri Police to give us protection as things blew out of proportion. Also, I haven’t received any request from Human Rights Commission demanding an explanation as it was reported in certain newspapers,” she added.

In the light of this incident, the school has put many measures in place with lady attendants manning every toilet. To explain this scenario better, the school has organised a meeting on Saturday to appraise and appease nervous parents.