Police have registered a case against Ranjit Singh, headmaster of the government-aided Shanmuganadar Higher Secondary School in Athur, near Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district, following public outrage and a road blockade over allegations that he forcibly removed sacred malas and wrist threads worn by Hindu students. The students wear these religious symbols as part of their 10-day fast and religious penance for the annual Kulasekarapattinam Dasara Festival at the Muthuramman Temple, which commenced on October 11.
During the festival, devotees who have made a vow participate in processions dressed as various characters, including deities, Yama, comic figures and other religious characters, and seek alms from the public.
It is learnt reliably that on October 12, Headmaster Ranjit Singh forcibly removed sacred malas and threads from students. Earlier, he had asked them to remove the items themselves, warning that he would remove them forcibly otherwise. When the students, fearing the wrath of the deity, refused to comply, the headmaster himself removed the items from them. He also allegedly assaulted some students as punishment for disobeying his instructions.
The headmaster reportedly told the students that they should not attend classes or come to school wearing these items. The students wear them to indicate to others that they are observing viratham for the Goddess.
On hearing about the incident from their children, hundreds of parents, members of Hindu Munnani and others arrived at the school and questioned the headmaster.
The parents sat on the floor, chanted devotional songs dedicated to the Goddess and continued their protest. The agitating parents demanded that the authorities register an FIR against the headmaster for offending the religious sentiments of Hindu students.
They questioned whether he would dare to remove religious symbols associated with other faiths, including burqas, veils, hijabs, holy crosses and rosaries.
During the Sabarimala season, schools, particularly Christian convent schools, including government-aided institutions, reportedly object to students wearing thulasi (basil) malas and black dress to signify their penance.
Every time, Hindu organisations are compelled to raise objections and hold protests. It has become a regular occurrence targeting Hindus.
The parents said the headmaster’s actions amounted to disrespect for their religious practices and sentiments. They condemned the alleged assault on students for refusing to remove the items when instructed to do so. The headmaster reportedly tendered an official apology.
However, the parents insisted that an FIR be registered and action taken against him. They demanded his arrest, suspension and the initiation of departmental proceedings.
According to Hindu Munnani functionaries, officials from the district school education department held talks with the protesting parents and assured them that appropriate action would be taken against the headmaster. To intensify the pressure, the parents staged a road roko, demanding action at the earliest.
Police officials pacified the parents and assured them that action would be taken. Following their intervention, the headmaster submitted a written apology and offered an open, unconditional apology to the parents.
Reportedly, police also registered an FIR against more than 90 persons, besides booking the headmaster for allegedly deliberately insulting the religious sentiments of Hindus.
