Guwahati : Tension flared in Tripuraโs capital Agartala as members of the right-wing group Bajrang Dal staged a protest today following an incident at a private Christian missionary-run school in Agartala.
Allegedly, a teacher forbade a student from wearing a โHindu religious symbolโ-adorned bracelet and confiscated it, sparking outrage among the activists who claimed their religious sentiments were hurt.
FLASH | Tripura: Tension escalates as Bajrang Dal protests โreligious symbolโ controversy at famous missionary school
Tension flared in Tripuraโs capital Agartala as members of the right wing group Bajrang Dal staged a protest following an incident at a private Christianโฆ pic.twitter.com/qAOXEBv5kU
โ The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) February 21, 2024
The school authorities, acknowledging the incident as โunfortunate,โ reinstated the bracelet on the studentโs hand after the protest. They emphasised their commitment to secularism and stated that the institution respects all religious beliefs.
READ MORE : Kerala brings back โWater Bellโ to hydrate students in heat
Tutan Saha, Bajrang Dalโs Tripura state coordinator, expressed concerns about religious restrictions in missionary-run schools, asserting that such actions hinder the natural growth of children.
Addressing the media, he said, โIf the school continues in this manner, it goes against the civilisation and culture of our country. The Bajrang Dal urges Hindu guardians, who fund the school, to raise their voice against these actions. While we respect the schoolโs religion, Hindu students should be allowed to worship Saraswati on campus.โ
He further condemned the incident, describing it as an attack on Hinduism, culture, tradition, and constitutional rights.
READ MORE : Rs15 L from Karnataka for Rahulโs LS seat in Kerala raises storm
Manoj Nath, the father of the student and a faculty member at a state government-run college, revealed that the bracelet held significant religious value, having been brought from the Somnath Temple in Gujarat.
In response, Rev Jilson Tom, Principal of Holy Cross School Agartala, expressed regret over the incident, reaffirming the schoolโs commitment to secular values.
A statement issued by the school detailed the actions taken to address the situation promptly, including reinstating the bracelet on the studentโs wrist as demanded by the parent and protesters.
