Telangana school attacked over saffron clothes controversy; 2 FIRs lodged
Villagers vandalize Telangana school over saffron attire dispute.
A school administered by a missionary congregation in Telangana's Mancherial district faced an incident of vandalism on Tuesday, instigated by villagers from another community. This occurred following an alleged confrontation where students, dressed in saffron religious attire, were reportedly instructed that their parents needed prior permission for them to attend school without the prescribed uniforms.
The event unfolded on April 16 at St Mother Teresa English Medium School, Luxettipet, located in Kannepalli village in northern Telangana. Video footage circulating on social media depicts a mob of saffron-clad villagers, chanting 'Jai Sri Ram' slogans, engaged in the act of vandalism.
"The disturbance arose after a directive from the principal requesting students to adhere to the uniform policy and seek permission for non-standard attire. This decision agitated certain parents, exacerbated by existing grievances against the principal. Compounded by proximity to a nearby temple, tensions escalated, resulting in the regrettable incident of vandalism," explained Mancherial Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ashok Kumar.
According to police reports, the students were partaking in 'Hanuman Deeksha', a 41-day penance ritual.
Authorities have registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) based on complaints from both the aggrieved parents and the school administration. Investigations are underway, with efforts focused on identifying the perpetrators captured in the video footage. In the parental complaint, it was alleged that students were barred from entry due to their attire, constituting an affront to religious sentiments and fostering inter-religious discord.
In their counter-complaint, the school administration accused individuals of trespassing, assaulting the school correspondent, and causing property damage, including harm to a statue of Mother Teresa and school property valued at Rs 30,000.
Father Jaimon Joseph, the school correspondent and member of the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (MCBS), clarified that students were allowed to take exams on Monday and attributed the subsequent events to misinformation circulated on social media, resulting in an unwarranted attack by a large mob.
Legal actions have been initiated against the school management under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code about promoting enmity between groups and outraging religious sentiments. The perpetrators of vandalism are charged with offences including causing hurt, mischief, trespass, criminal intimidation, and participating in an unlawful assembly.
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