Govt-aided school shut down due to ‘religious tension’

WEST BENGAL

A GOVERNMENT-AIDED school in Howrah district was shut on Monday for an indefinite period due to “religious tension”, two days after police imposed Section 144 (unlawful assembly) of the Crpc to bring the situation “under control”.

Sources said a group of the school’s students were allegedly denied permission by local police to celebrate ‘Nabi Diwas’, the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad, last month. The incident sparkedunrest,whichescalatedon January27,whenpreparationsbeganforsaraswatipujaonfebruary 1. As a result, school property was allegedly vandalised, forcing local police to impose Section 144. On thesameday,theschool’steacherin-charge,utpalmallik,submitted his resignation.

“Yes, there is some religious tension and hence the school has been closed for an indefinite period until the next order. The teacher-in-charge submitted his resignation Friday, but it has not been accepted,” a member of the district school authority said.

However, an order issued by the district inspector of schools (secondary education), Howrah, stated that classes had been suspended due to an “ongoing administrative problem”. Sources claimedthattheorderwasissued to avoid any “conflict” in and around its premises. The state school board has also allegedly asked the police to look into the matterand“restorepeaceassoon as possible”.

Presidentoftheschool’ssponsor managing committee, Niharkantibhuiyansaidthat“outside elements were influencing students and disturbing the environment”.“it’snotaone-daything. Wehadallowedthem15minutes of prayer on December 29 for celebrating Nabi Diwas. But they gathered around 10,000 people from the area and made religious speeches using loudspeakers without informing us. A group of students have been threatening teachers.everynowandthenthey organise a religious programme without permission.” he added.

“On January 28, Section 144 was imposed. Police brought the situation under control. No untowardincidenthasbeenreported,” a police official said.