The shocking incident at the Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad has sent waves of anger and grief across the city. On 19th August, a Hindu student was allegedly murdered by his Muslim junior within the school premises, an act that has not only shaken the local community but also raised questions about the school’s administration and past record.

According to reports, the Muslim student brutally stabbed the Hindu student inside the school premises. Despite efforts to save him, the victim tragically succumbed to his injuries during medical treatment the same night. The disturbing episode immediately sparked protests from the victim’s grieving family and members of the local Hindu community, who expressed their outrage against the school authorities.

The family of the deceased has made serious allegations against the administration. They claimed that the school showed negligence in responding to the emergency. The family alleged that instead of rushing the injured student to the hospital, the school administration delayed the process, which worsened his condition and ultimately cost him his life. Adding to the anger, they further accused the authorities of attempting to conceal the incident. The relatives claimed that “instead of taking the victim to the hospital, the school administration started cleaning the blood stains in the school premises with water.”

This accusation is now a critical part of the ongoing investigation. Police officials are also trying to determine who exactly cleaned the blood stains, as such an act is legally considered destruction of evidence and constitutes a punishable offence.

A School Steeped in Controversy

The recent tragedy is not the first time this institution has come under public scrutiny. The Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School has faced repeated controversies over the years, drawing criticism for both administrative negligence and questionable practices.

Back in 2016, the school was in the news after one of its teachers violently assaulted a fourth-standard child. Eyewitnesses recalled that the teacher grabbed the child by the hair, punched him in the face, and beat him so severely that the student began to bleed. The horrifying incident triggered immediate protests from parents right inside the school premises.

Under immense pressure, the school administration was forced to suspend the teacher, identified as Moses Adla. However, locals alleged that this was not an isolated act. They claimed the same teacher had previously assaulted at least four other students in a similar manner. Following a complaint filed by the parents, a case was registered at Khokhara police station, and legal action was initiated.

The school was again dragged into controversy in October 2024 when its administration took nearly 200 students on a trip without seeking mandatory approval from the District Education Office. This blatant violation of government rules prompted the District Education Office to issue a legal notice to the school and simultaneously lodge a complaint with the police.

Now, in the wake of the recent murder, fresh allegations have once more placed the school under a dark spotlight. The grandfather of the deceased Hindu student has come forward with startling revelations. According to him, certain Muslim students in the school once brought mutton and deceitfully fed it to Hindu vegetarian students by presenting it as paneer. When the parents of Hindu children and locals discovered this, it caused widespread uproar. Yet, it was alleged that the school authorities chose not to take any disciplinary action in the matter.

Accusations That Shake Trust in the School

After the Hindu student’s tragic murder, many began to question the role of the school’s administration. The victim’s grandfather told OpIndia that “about two months before the incident, it was brought to the notice of the school administration that the victim was facing harassment by Muslim students.” This was not an isolated concern. According to him, the owner of the cab service in the school shared that multiple incidents had occurred where Hindu students were attacked by Muslim students on campus. The cab owner had even recorded a video of one such incident and showed it to the school authorities—yet, according to the grandfather, “no action was taken.”

He further alleged something deeply disturbing—that Hindu students were “forced to change their religion to Christianity or Islam.” These serious claims of harassment were reportedly confirmed by other parents and local residents, who agreed that no action was taken by the school administration on complaints of harassment.

Beyond this, there is concern about the school’s academic approach. Some allege that the Moral Science syllabus is crafted in a way that aims “to lure Hindu students to Christianity.” On top of that, more shocking claims suggest that officials from the school once offered to promote students to the next class without taking examinations in exchange for ₹2 lakh.

Who Is Really in Charge?

The Seventh Day School is not run locally in isolation—it is governed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church Organisation, which has its global headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. Locally, the educational operation is handled by the “Ashlock Trust,” which functions under the church’s educational wing. This global organisation oversees an extensive network of institutions—7,804 schools, colleges, and universities worldwide.

The school adheres to Christianity-based rules set by the global church. According to its structure, the Seventh Day Adventist Church Organisation lays down the policies and guidelines, which are then expected to be followed by all institutions under its umbrella—including the Ahmedabad school.

Meet the Principal — And the Man at the Helm of CISCE

The principal of the Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad is G. Emmanuel. Concerned parents say that prior to the murder, “many incidents of violence and bullying were brought to his notice, but he allegedly never paid attention to them or took any action.”

The school is affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE), a non-governmental body that has been overseeing the school’s academic activities since 1990. What adds another layer to the issue is that G. Emmanuel is currently serving as the President of CISCE, in addition to his principal role.

This dual position has sparked outrage among locals and parents, who cite a clear conflict of interest. They argue that as long as Emmanuel holds power at CISCE, “the CISCE would not act on their complaints against the school.” None of the parents’ grievances, they claim, has received any official response from Emmanuel himself. Meanwhile, a police investigation into the murder and related allegations is actively underway.