D Veerendra Heggade seeks details on SOPs for bomb hoax threats in schools

Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade asked the Ministry of Education whether the recent wave of bomb hoax threats targeting schools during examination season is mentally taxing for students and parents, if strict action will be taken against perpetrators, whether comprehensive SOPs exist to address such threats, and if the Government plans to educate students and staff on safety protocols and legal consequences.

He has asked about four questions in the Rajya Sabha, all unstarred questions. These questions were answered on August 6 and this question is asked in this session. The questions comes at a time when the Special Investigation Team (SIT)  is probing the Dharmasthala Mass Burial case. 

Questions

1. Whether wave of bomb hoax threats targeting schools, especially during examination season is mentally taxing for both students and parents?
2. Whether strict action will be taken against hoaxers and the outcome made public — without disclosing names or school details if minors are involved?
3. Whether there are any comprehensive SOPs/guidelines to address bomb threats in schools and, if so, the details thereof?
4. Whether the Government proposes to educate students and school staff on safety protocols, raise awareness about the consequences of hoax threats, and communicate the legal repercussions clearly, and if so, the details thereof?

In a written reply, Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary stated that mock drills are conducted in Kendriya Vidyalayas by agencies including the NDRF and Fire Services to train students and staff for emergencies such as bomb threats, earthquakes, floods, and terrorist attacks.

He said the Department of School Education and Literacy issued Guidelines on School Safety and Security in 2021, circulated to all States, Union Territories, and autonomous bodies, detailing the accountability of school managements. These guidelines, advisory in nature, are to be read with the National Disaster Management Authority’s School Safety Policy Guidelines (2016), which are mandatory.

The Minister added that on July 26, 2025, all States and UTs were directed to urgently implement these measures, including safety audits, emergency preparedness training, and psychosocial support, while ensuring strict action against hoaxers without disclosing the identities of minors.