A controversy over a school annual function in Maharashtra’s Jalna district has expanded beyond the event itself after Maharashtra Police issued a notice to the X handle “Treeni”, which had shared a viral video showing minor students performing to a song containing the phrase “Sar Tan Se Juda”.
The notice, issued by the Cyber Police Station in Jalna district, alleged that the account holder had circulated the video by creating and spreading a false narrative with the intention of disturbing communal harmony and inciting tensions.
According to the notice, the video related to a school function held earlier and had already been available online. Police alleged that the clip was reposted on social media to gain attention and create controversy.
“You are requested to delete this objectionable content as early as possible,” the notice stated.
The action immediately sparked criticism on social media, with several users and organisations questioning why the focus appeared to be shifting towards the individual who highlighted the video rather than the circumstances under which the programme was conducted.
Responding to the notice, the social media handle maintained that it would not remove the post and defended its decision to publicise the video.
EXCLUSIVE:
During Annual Day programme of Kids World English School in Partur, Jalna — school children danced on the Pakistani song of “Gustakh Nabi Ki Ek Saza…” with dummy swords.
In the background, they had celebrated with photo of Pakistani terrorist Mumtaz Qadri, who had… pic.twitter.com/bq7PbUJYb2
— Treeni (@treeni) June 16, 2026
The account stated that its objective was to draw attention to what it considered a matter of public concern and not to create communal tension.
“Making children the future of this country dance on ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ is alarming. Instead of agencies taking action, it is shocking to see attempts being made to brush the matter under the carpet by targeting those who exposed it,” the handle said.
Treeni further claimed that it possessed the original video files and screen recordings of the programme and was prepared to provide them if required during any legal proceedings.
The controversy began after a video from the annual function of Kids World English School in Partur town of Maharashtra’s Jalna district surfaced online.
The video shows minor students performing on stage while holding dummy swords as the song “Gustakh-e-Nabi Ki Ek Saja” played in the background.
The song contains the phrase “Sar Tan Se Juda”, a slogan that has frequently generated controversy because of its association with calls for violence against individuals accused of blasphemy.
As the video spread online, several users raised concerns about the nature of the performance and questioned how such content became part of a school programme involving children.
The controversy intensified further when social media users claimed that a photograph displayed on the stage’s LED screen resembled Mumtaz Qadri, the Pakistani police commando convicted of assassinating Punjab Governor Salman Taseer in 2011.
Taseer was killed after criticising Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and supporting Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death under those laws.
Qadri was later convicted and executed by Pakistani authorities in 2016, though he continues to be glorified by some radical groups in Pakistan.
The alleged appearance of an image resembling Qadri during a school event involving children raised additional concerns and led to demands for a thorough investigation.
As criticism mounted, Kids World English School sought to distance itself from portions of the programme.
School representatives reportedly stated that the video being circulated was around two years old and not a recent event.
The institution said that stage displays and LED visuals were handled by an external contractor and that school authorities did not directly manage all content shown during the programme.
Later, school officials reportedly claimed that the visuals displayed on the screen were sourced from the Turkish television series “Ertugrul”.
The school also stated that it could not independently confirm the identity of the individual whose image appeared in the background.
Meanwhile, social media users pointed out that videos from the institution’s YouTube channel were no longer accessible after the controversy erupted.
Amid growing public attention, Maharashtra Police launched an inquiry into the matter.
Additional Superintendent of Police Vikram Sali confirmed that officials had been directed to examine all facts related to the event.
“In this matter, we have given an inquiry to the Police official of Partur Police Station and the SDPO of Partur Division. The investigation has just begun. The report will be released soon, and further proceedings will be carried out,” he said.
Police are reportedly questioning school authorities, including those involved in organising the programme, and examining how the performance was planned and approved.
Officials have stated that no FIR has been registered so far and that further action will depend on the findings of the inquiry.
The controversy has also attracted the attention of advocacy groups and child rights activists.
Demands have reportedly been made to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the Maharashtra Director General of Police and district authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding the event.
