Karimnagar, Mar 16: Mild tension prevailed at a private school in Metpally town of Jagtial district in Telangana on Monday after the management allegedly denied entry to five students wearing ‘Hanuman Mala’, triggering protests by parents and members of Hindutva groups.
The students had arrived at the school dressed in saffron attire as part of a 21-day Hanuman religious deeksha, but were reportedly stopped at the gate by school authorities citing the institution’s dress code rules. The management informed parents that students would not be allowed to attend classes while observing the deeksha in religious attire.
The decision sparked protests outside the school, with parents and devotees staging a sit-in demonstration and raising slogans against the management. Protesters alleged that preventing students from attending classes for wearing the Hanuman Mala hurt their religious sentiments and amounted to discrimination.
As tensions escalated, some protesters reportedly entered the school premises and damaged furniture. Police personnel rushed to the spot following information from the school management and intervened to prevent further escalation.
“The school Principal asked us not to come for 21 days and said we should sit in a temple doing bhajans as we are wearing ‘Hanuman Mala’,” one of the students said.
A protester alleged, “Barring or suspending students for wearing Hanuman Mala is nothing but discrimination as children belonging to all religions go to this school.”
Officials from the district education department later intervened in the matter and issued a show-cause notice to the school principal. Following discussions with authorities and parents, the school management apologised and agreed to allow the students to attend classes in their religious attire.
Konda Kanakatara, Mandal Education Officer, and Tahsildar Neetu visited the school and held talks with the management and parents to defuse the situation.
Officials said steps would be taken to ensure that such disputes do not disturb the academic environment in educational institutions.
