Massive Protests Erupt Over School Assault Case

A recent incident of alleged sexual assault involving two four-year-old girls at a Badlapur school has sparked widespread outrage and protests. The accused, a 23-year-old cleaning staff member, was arrested after parents reported the incident, but the filing of the FIR was delayed for over 11 hours, leading to suspicions of a police cover-up. Protests erupted, disrupting train services for 10 hours, as demonstrators expressed anger over the police's slow response and the school’s handling of the situation. In light of the chaos, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a fast-track investigation and the appointment of a special public prosecutor. The school management has suspended several staff members, while three police officials were also suspended for their inaction. The incident and the protests have drawn parallels to another recent case involving the rape of a doctor in Kolkata, raising concerns about violence against women in India.