Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

School violence

The editorial “Guns and campus rage” (Dec. 14) rightly says that strict enforcement of existing regulations and the exercise of great responsibility by gun licence holders should be the first steps in ensuring safety in schools. Mahatma Gandhi said: “I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” It appears that the students of the Gurgaon school who reportedly shot Abhishek Tyagi, their classmate, were familiar with the ways of handling the gun. Affluent schools should take urgent steps to prevent such occurrences in future.

J. Dorai Raj,

Chennai

The fact that the gun was left to be accessed by a young boy is unforgivable negligence on the part of the parent. The boys might have been bullied by the victim. But was eliminating him the only way to settle scores? The Gurgaon incident points to the role films must have played in influencing the boys. In most of the films, the hero kills the villain in the end. The climax is almost always the glorification of violence.

While it is important to ensure that the boys are punished for their act, it should also be borne in mind that they are children. They need sound counselling and the importance of human life should be impressed upon them.

S. Arvindh,

Chennai

If parents can have a gun (licensed or otherwise), obviously to kill their attacker, it is no wonder that children too resort to the same gun to kill their perceived enemies.

Parents should keep a constant watch on the activities of their children, whether they like it or not. It is needless to emphasise the importance of keeping in touch with the teachers, for it is they who have a fair knowledge and picture of the children.

Prabhu Harle,

Bangalore

The social fabric in India has become very weak. People do not get support from the family any more. Grandparents are thrown out to live in old age homes. Children grow up like robots, devoid of all emotion. There are no grandparents, aunts or uncles with whom they can cultivate bonds.

Children see their parents ruthlessly pursuing their goals and feel it is a desirable quality. They carry the ruthlessness to school.

Rajeshwari Raghu,

Madikeri

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