An 'argument over notebooks' led to murder at an Indian school - and set a city ablaze

In a tragic incident that has shaken the community of Udaipur, Rajasthan, a 15-year-old boy named Devraj was killed by his classmate Zakir during a school altercation. The incident occurred on August 16, when an argument over notebooks escalated into violence. Zakir allegedly pulled a knife from his backpack and attacked Devraj, who succumbed to his injuries three days later in the hospital. This heartbreaking event has ignited a wave of grief and anger, prompting discussions about the rising violence in schools. While the police have stated that the fight was not motivated by religious differences, the incident has nonetheless sparked significant unrest in the city. Investigating officer Chhagan Purohit emphasized that the conflict was merely a disagreement between the two boys. However, rumors quickly spread on social media, suggesting that Zakir, a Muslim, had targeted a Hindu boy, leading to protests in Udaipur. Right-wing Hindu groups took to the streets, setting vehicles ablaze and chanting anti-Muslim slogans, which resulted in a curfew and an internet shutdown in the area. Following the incident, Zakir was taken into custody and placed in a juvenile home, while his father was arrested on charges of abetment to murder. The day after the stabbing, authorities demolished the home of Zakir's family, leaving his mother Heena and her four daughters homeless. Heena expressed her despair, stating, 'My son deserves punishment, but why punish our whole family? ' The violence that erupted in Udaipur has left many residents feeling anxious and fearful. The once harmonious Hindu-Muslim neighborhoods are now strained, with residents sensing a growing divide. One neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, remarked, 'Things are getting worse, and we can feel it. ' For Devraj's family, the pain of losing their son is immeasurable. His father, Pappu Lal, who works as a cobbler in Kuwait, learned of the tragedy while he was thousands of miles away. By the time he returned home, Devraj was already unconscious and passed away without having the chance to see his father. Pappu Lal described the overwhelming sadness and anger that followed, saying, 'They destroyed their house, but we lost our son. The house can be rebuilt, but our child will never come back. ' The incident has also become a political issue for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with some opposition leaders accusing the party of exploiting religious tensions for political gain. Authorities have claimed that the demolition of Heena's house was due to its illegal construction on forest land, and a notice was issued to her just a day before the demolition took place. However, Heena's brother, Mukhtar Alam, questioned the fairness of the action, stating, 'It was my house, and I built it with a lot of hard work. How can they just come and destroy it without even telling me? ' He also pointed out that other houses in the area remained standing despite being built on the same land. An official from Udaipur's forest department mentioned that action would be taken against other structures at a more appropriate time, but critics have raised concerns about the timing of the demolition and the use of laws meant for one situation to punish someone for another. In BJP-ruled states, it has become common for authorities to demolish the homes of crime suspects swiftly, with many arguing that these actions disproportionately target Muslims, especially following incidents of religious violence. Political scientist Asim Ali commented, 'There is no logic to it except the communal logic of collective punishment. ' The Supreme Court of India has recently criticized the demolition of properties linked to individuals accused of crimes and has indicated that it will issue guidelines regarding this practice. Manna Lal Rawat, the BJP's Udaipur MP, denied any connection between the demolition and the stabbing, suggesting that Zakir was influenced by extremists. Since the incident, Udaipur has experienced a tense calm, with memories of past violence still fresh in the minds of residents. A senior police official noted, 'That's why a fight between two children turned into riots. ' Pappu Lal struggles to comprehend the reasons behind the fight. He describes Devraj as a good boy, mischievous yet innocent, who aspired to become a policeman and a voice for justice. Since Devraj's death, their home has become a focal point for media attention, with many visitors offering condolences. However, for Pappu Lal and his grieving wife, these gestures feel hollow. Pappu Lal insists that he only seeks justice for his son. Questions have also arisen regarding the school's response to the incident. Pappu Lal alleges that no teacher accompanied Devraj to the hospital, and he was taken there by two classmates. The school's principal, Isha Dharmawat, who has since been suspended, denied these claims, stating that she had instructed students to take Devraj on her motorbike to avoid delays in treatment. After the stabbing, the school was closed for a week and reopened with only one student attending. Parents are now worried about their children's safety, with one parent expressing, 'Children should be kept out of politics until they are ready to face the world. ' Meanwhile, Heena is trying to rebuild her life after the demolition of her home. She lamented, 'Half of my belongings are still buried under the debris of the demolished house. ' She continues to grapple with questions about how her son obtained the knife and why he used it against his friend. Heena feels that she will always be viewed as a bad parent, saying, 'Everything of mine has been taken away. Now if people want to hang my child, then hang him, what else can I say?