On December 1, a missionary school named after Saint Mary took disciplinary action by suspending four students for uttering ‘Jai Shri Ram’ on its premises. This incident occurred in Mauranipur town, located in the Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh.
According to reports, students were assigned the task of writing essays on topics of their choice. Four students, comprising three boys and one girl, chose to focus on the construction of the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. During the school prayer, they recited their essays, concluding each with the sacred chant of ‘Jai Shri Ram.’
Upon hearing the Hindu religious slogan, the school administration decided to suspend the students for a duration of eight days and summoned their parents. Additionally, the reports indicate that the four students were compelled to submit a written apology, pledging never to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ within the school premises.
Following the widespread dissemination of the suspension news, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and other Hindu groups conducted a protest outside Saint Mary’s School. According to reports, they vociferously chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and symbolically burnt the effigy of the school principal. Hindu activist Vinay Kumar issued a warning, stating that unless the students’ suspension was rescinded, a substantial agitation would be organised against the school administration.
Upon receiving this information, Mauranipur Tehsildar Madan Mohan Gupta, along with a police team led by Laxmikant Gautam, promptly arrived at the school. They managed to restore order and ensure an investigation into the matter, pledging appropriate action against those responsible. Madan Mohan Gupta mentioned that a committee had been established to delve into the issue and submit a comprehensive report.
A large contingent of police was deployed to avoid any law-and-order situation. In the meantime, the school administration has denied all allegations in writing.
Readers should know that this is not the only case where a Hindu student has been suspended or has faced punishment for sporting his Hindu religious identity; there have been many such instances in the past. We at Organiser have compiled a list of such cases, which can be accessed here from across the country, where Hindu students witnessed suspension, punishment or any other form of inconvenience for wearing Kalawa, chanting Jai Shri Ram, sporting tilak among other Hindu practices by Missionary and other schools.
