Surat : Students Lie on Roads, Block Traffic Over Principal’s Transfer

Surat, Gujarat – Chaos erupted on the streets of Kathodara on Saturday morning as students and parents launched a fierce protest against the sudden transfer of Kalpesh Patel, the much-loved principal of Government School No. 385. In a powerful display of emotion and solidarity, students lay down on the road, bringing traffic to a standstill and forcing police to intervene.

Tears, anger, and chants filled the air as hundreds of students and parents gathered outside the school gates, demanding the cancellation of Patel’s transfer order. Many carried placards and shouted slogans like “Kalpesh Sir wapas lao!” (Bring back Kalpesh Sir!) and “Shikshan Mantri hosh mein aao!” (Education Minister, wake up!).

“He is not just a principal, he is like a father to our children,” said Meena Patel, a mother of two students studying in the school. “He stayed back after school hours, helped students prepare for exams, and took personal interest in every child’s progress. His transfer has broken our hearts.”

The situation escalated when students, in a desperate act to draw attention, lay down across the main road, halting all traffic movement. Tension peaked as police tried to disperse the crowd, leading to clashes with agitated parents.

Political Underpinnings: The Bogus Guard Scam

Behind the emotional turmoil lies a murky administrative controversy. Kalpesh Patel’s transfer is allegedly linked to an ongoing investigation into a bogus security guard scam that hit School No. 385. According to sources, a fraudulent setup involving three fictitious guards led to a scam worth ₹3.67 lakh, siphoned off through municipal funds.

Two security supervisors, Kaushal Prasad Singrol and Kalubhai Poshiya, have been arrested by Laskana police and are currently on a two-day remand. The authorities claim Patel was moved to ensure an impartial investigation.

However, supporters of Patel argue that he is being made a scapegoat.

“Punish the guilty, not the innocent,” shouted a student through tears. “Sir never tolerated corruption. He’s being targeted for someone else’s crime.”

Demand for Justice

The protestors have demanded immediate revocation of the transfer and a transparent investigation into the scam. The heat has also turned towards Education Minister Prafulla Panseria, who faced sharp criticism during the protest.

Meanwhile, the local administration is trying to defuse the situation, with senior officials initiating dialogue with community leaders.