MAPUSA: Several former students and villagers from Aldona on Monday gathered outside the premise of St Thomas Higher Secondary School to show solidarity towards the institution and the two teachers Gurudas Malik and Amaranth Panjikar.

It was a solidarity march to protest against the recent fiasco that has portrayed the higher secondary school in a bad light. They have demanded that an investigation in the matter should be carried out by the management of the institution and the culprits should be brought to books.

Speaking on the occasion, teacher Panjikar pointed out that he has been teaching for the last 26 years.

“Till date there were no such allegations made against me by any student. The premise of the institution is under the surveillance of CCTV cameras and it can be checked if any such incident of molestation has taken place. If these allegations made against me are proved then I can be hanged. The crowd outside the premise has come to solve the issue in a nice manner and to continue with the classes for the children,” he said.

While the other teacher, Gurudas also spoke and put forth several alleged illegalities he noticed during the term of the principal and manager, who were removed from the institution last week.

Huge police force was deputed in and around the institution to avoid any untoward incident.   

President of Aldona block Congress Committee and an ex- student, Ashwin D’Souza said that there was a need for the decision in the matter to be taken in front of the public since it was a public accusation made against both the male teachers.

A local who was present at the venue said that if both the teachers are wrong they should be punished or else those who have made false complaints against them should be penalised.

The current Principal of St Thomas Fr Jerard Sahayaraj assured the gathering that they would continue with the classes after the protest was over.