A disturbing incident unfolded on Wednesday morning at Shri Gurunanak Senior Secondary School, located on Kundeshwari Road in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, where a Class 9 student opened fire on his physics teacher, Gagandeep Singh Kohli.
The student smuggled a country-made pistol inside his lunch box and shot the teacher from behind as he was leaving the classroom after finishing his class. The bullet struck just below the teacher’s right shoulder, leaving him critically injured. The injured teacher was rushed to a private hospital, where he continues to be treated in the intensive care unit.
According to the police, the student, estimated to be about 14 years old, carried the weapon concealed in his tiffin box to school and opened fire following an argument that had roots in a disciplinary action taken by the teacher two days prior. The boy had been slapped and scolded by the teacher for failing to complete his homework, which allegedly triggered his anger and led him to plan this violent act.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
The Uttarakhand police swiftly responded to the complaint and have taken the student into custody. A case has been registered against the minor under attempt-to-murder provisions. Senior Superintendent of Police Abhinav Kumar confirmed that the weapon was country-made and recovered at the scene, and the student will be produced before the juvenile justice board.
CCTV footage from the school confirmed the student fired the gun immediately after the class ended. Following the incident, police have launched a detailed investigation into how the student accessed the weapon, with authorities interrogating the boy’s family and associates for leads. Officials are also reviewing school security protocols and access points to prevent such dangerous breaches in the future.
Community Shock and Teacher Protests for Safety
The incident has left the school community and Kashipur town in shock. Parents, students, and staff members expressed their anguish and concern over the rising threats to school safety amid increasing accessibility to illegal firearms. To press for urgent reforms, the Udham Singh Nagar Independent School Association organised a day-long closure of CBSE and private schools in the region. Teachers protested by wearing black armbands and held a silent march from Ramleela Ground to the SDM office demanding stronger security for educators and stricter enforcement against illegal weapons.
Many teachers have raised important questions about the need for better emotional and behavioural support systems within schools, suggesting that punitive actions alone may not be sufficient to address student frustrations or prevent escalation.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This tragic event is a critical reminder of the importance of creating nurturing and empathetic school environments where students’ emotional well-being is prioritised, and conflicts are resolved through understanding rather than violence. It highlights how disciplinary measures, if not balanced with kindness and open communication, can drive children to desperation. Schools must not only safeguard physical security but also foster trust and dialogue.
As a society, it is imperative that we work towards changing school cultures to emphasise patience, compassion, and active listening to help children manage their anger and fears constructively. Preventing access to weapons must be coupled with preventive emotional care and conflict resolution education.
By fostering empathy and dialogue within our educational institutions, we can collectively prevent such tragedies from recurring and ensure safe spaces for every child to learn and grow.
