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Nihangs attack Church congregation in Amritsar accusing them of conversion while congregation pelts stones at them, two injured, police files FIR: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Nihangs attack Church congregation in Amritsar accusing them of conversion while congregation pelts stones at them, two injured, police files FIR: Details

On May 21, a group of Nihangs allegedly attacked a congregation near Sikhpal Rana Ministries Church in the village Rajewal of district Amritsar. Two people were reportedly injured in the attack. The police said in a statement that the motive and identity of the attackers were unknown and it was unclear if they were Nihangs or miscreants dressed in Nihang attire. The attackers were armed with swords and other sharp weapons.

The Nihangs raised slogans against the church and accused them of forced conversions. Some eyewitnesses claimed that the Nihangs entered the church and vandalised it. They further claimed the Nihangs tore Bible which was kept in the church. Following the attack, the accused fled the scene. While leaving the area, they vandalised vehicles parked outside the church.

In response to the attack, the congregation protested for two hours at Jandiala Guru-Tarn Taran road and blocked the traffic. A case has been registered against unidentified persons. Amritsar Rural SSP Satinder Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP) Jugraj Singh and police personnel from the nearby police station arrived at the scene to control the law and order situation. SSP Singh said in a statement that FIR has been registered in the matter and an investigation was underway.

As per the Live Hindustan report, when the Nihangs attacked, the church supporters retaliated by pelting stones at them. Nihang groups have denied any involvement in the attack. They raised objections over using Nihang attire during such attacks.

Meanwhile, Christian groups have said they would take the matter to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. They demanded strict action against the attackers. The Christian groups have asked the administration and police to file FIR under Sections 295A and 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and deal with the matter the way the police deal with the sacrilege of Shri Guru Granth Sahib.

Indian Express quoted an unnamed police source saying the motive behind the attack was yet to be investigated. He said, “The motive behind the attack and the identity of the assailants are yet to be fully ascertained. The police and authorities are actively investigating the matter to bring the culprits to justice and to maintain communal harmony in the area.”

Punjab Minority Commission Subhash Thoba also reached the village to take stock of the situation with his team. He said in a statement that the eyewitnesses informed him there were around 25 Nihangs who attacked the congregation. They gathered outside the church on Sunday and accused them of forced conversion.

Nihang groups and SGPC have accused Christian organisations in Punjab of forced conversions. In 2021, SGPC launched a door-to-door campaign to put a stop to the rampant conversions across the state. Furthermore, there has been a spike in the attacks on churches in Punjab in view of the reports of mass conversions during congregations. In August 2022, OpIndia reported a similar incident in Daduana village of Amritsar where Nihangs disrupted a Christian program over allegations of forced conversions.

Unknown group hacks Vansthali school website after students had reported their Kalava being cut, Lord Ram posters being torn by teachers: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Unknown group hacks Vansthali school website after students had reported their Kalava being cut, Lord Ram posters being torn by teachers: Details

On May 22, an unknown group hacked the website of the Vansthali Public School (vpsphase3.com) and published images of Bhagwan Ram. They wrote a message that read, “Stop mistaking Hindus’ tolerance for weakness. Stop provoking us. Stop testing our patience”. So far, no one has taken responsibility.

Screenshot of School’s website hacked by an unknown group. Source: vpsphase3

On the website, one can see images of Lord Ram and a screenshot of a tweet where a video was posted, with students of the school accusing three teachers of anti-Hindu activity, removing their Kalava and tearing Lord Ram’s poster.

The students who chanted Jai Shri Ram outside school were also suspended. However, following protests by Hindu organisations their suspension was removed. The hackers also added a video tweet by ‘Hamare Mandir’ Twitter handle that contained statements from students accusing teachers of cutting sacred thread and tearing Bhagwan Ram’s poster. It is possible that the group hacked the school’s website over allegations of anti-Hindu activities.

Several netizens noticed the website of the school being hacked and posted the screenshots.

School teachers accused of anti-Hindu activities

An incident of discrimination came to light at Vansthali Public School located in Phase 3 of Mayur Vihar. Many Hindu children here have collectively accused their teacher, Anoop Rawat, of cutting the sacred threads tied on their wrists. The cut threads were thrown into the dustbin.

The students also allege that another teacher, Ravi, tore a poster of Lord Rama in the classroom and later suspended students who said “Jai Shri Ram.” The number of suspended students is reported to be 9. A video of the students’ collective complaint is also going viral on social media.

The sacred threads were cut on May 16, 2023. Posters of the Hindu deity Lord Ram were torn on May 19, 2023. The protests against these incidents were held on May 20, 2023. Following multiple incidents at the school, Hindu organizations protested outside its premises. The police intervened after which the students’ suspension was revoked.

Wishes for his death, targeting his sister’s Instagram, abuses and more: Shubman Gill faces wrath of RCB fans after his century knocks them out of IPL

OpIndia Staff
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Wishes for his death, targeting his sister’s Instagram, abuses and more: Shubman Gill faces wrath of RCB fans after his century knocks them out of IPL

Hours after Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) was eliminated from the playoffs of the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), fans of the franchise went on to issue death threats to cricketer Shubman Gill and his sister.

RCB was defeated by Gujarat Titans (GT) during a closely-contested match, played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday (May 21). Despite a stellar performance from Virat Kohli, GI was able to outshine his side due to a 104-run knock by Shubman Gill in just 52 balls.

Some fans of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, who were dejected by the outcome of the match, lost their cool and went on to abuse Gill and his sister on social media. Many of them also went on to issue death and rape threats.

One Twitter user (@VamosVirat) posted a picture of a burnt car and wished that it was the vehicle driven by Shubman Gill. “With no one outside to put him into hospital,” he added.

Screengrab of the tweet

Another RCB fan wished physical harm on the young cricketer and labelled his sister Shahneel Gill as a ‘transgender’. “…From this day, remember, everything wrong that happens in your life will be because I prayed for it…” he cursed.

Screengrab of the tweet

Another Twitter user (@gayle_vishnu) openly wished for the death of Shubman Gill on the micro-blogging platform. The RCB ‘fan’ also said that he did not care if his ID was suspended.

Screengrab of the tweet

Another Royal Challengers Bangalore fan posted the link of Shahneel Gill in the hopes of unleashing his troll army against her.

Screengrab of the tweet

As expected, her posts on Instagram were flooded with hate comments, ranging from remarks about her sexual orientation to prayers for her brother’s death.

Screengrab of the Instagram post of Shahneel Gill

The Virat Kohli ‘fan’ who earlier wished death on Shubman Gill, dubbed Shahneel as a ‘prostitute’ and called for her sale online for ₹9.

Screengrab of the tweet

Shubman Gill was also abused with the choicest of expletives by RCB fans on Instagram. He was accused of scoring a century to impress his girlfriend and thereby ruining the chances of Virat Kohli’s team.

Screengrab of the comments
Screengrab of the comments

This is not the first time that supporters of Virat Kohli have resorted to such behaviour. Earlier, they wished death upon Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni.

With RCB eliminated from this year’s IPL, four teams have qualified for the Playoffs. They include Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants.

Kerala: Travancore Devaswom Board issues circular reiterating ban on RSS Shakhas in Hindu temples managed by it, threatens strict action for non-compliance

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Travancore Devaswom Board issues circular reiterating ban on RSS Shakhas in Hindu temples managed by it, threatens strict action for non-compliance

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the autonomous body that manages Hindu temples in Kerala, has issued a circular reaffirming its ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Shakhas and their activities within the premises of Kerala temples under its jurisdiction.

The circular dated May 18 expressed dissatisfaction that its earlier orders banning RSS activities in Hindu temples have not been implemented.

“The board has banned all practices other than those related to the rituals and ceremonies of the temple… Use of temple properties and assets have also been banned for holding mass drills via the order dated 30-03-2021,” said the circular issued by the TDB secretary. The notice says that strict disciplinary actions will be taken against temple authorities who fail to follow the instructions. The temple authorities also have been asked to inform about any irregularities in this regard.

The board had issued a circular in March 2021 directing the officials to strictly implement the order and take necessary actions in this regard. The TDB had said that strict actions will be taken against Devaswom officers who allow functioning of RSS sakhas, drills and physical trainings on the premises of the board managed temples. In an earlier order issued in 2016, the TDB had banned RSS from conducting any arms training and drills on temple properties. 

TDB officials told the media that the circular has been reissued again to ensure that RSS is not allowed to conduct any activities in temple premises managed by the board.

In 2016, the then Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran had alleged that the RSS was trying to turn temples into storehouses of arms in Kerala and that the government had been receiving a large number of complaints in this regard.

Earlier in 2015, the Travancore Devaswom Board had told the Kerala High Court that no permission has been granted to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to conduct drills or ‘Shakha’ in temple premises. The submission was filed at the court in response to a petition filed alleging that RSS was conducting arms training in temples.

Despite repeated orders banning RSS from temples, the order is not being fully implemented, forcing the board to reissue the order again. Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is one of the five autonomous bodies that manages nearly 3,000 temples in Kerala. TDB runs over 1,200 temples, including Sabarimala temple. The other four boards are Cochin Devaswom Board, Malabar Devaswom Board, Guruvayur Devaswom Board and Koodalmanikyam board. The state govt has a Devaswom Ministry to manage the affairs of the boards, K Radhakrishnan is the minister in the current LDF government.

Jammu and Kashmir: NIA arrests JeM operative who was sending sensitive information to Pakistan, security tightened amid G20 meeting

OpIndia Staff
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Jammu and Kashmir: NIA arrests JeM operative who was sending sensitive information to Pakistan, security tightened amid G20 meeting

A member of the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which has its base in Pakistan, had been reportedly sending covert information regarding the movement of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a federal agency spokesperson, Muhammad Ubaid Malik was arrested as part of a crackdown on terrorist organisations operating over the border who want to disrupt India by carrying out terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Malik was in constant touch with a Pakistan-based JeM commander. Investigations have revealed that he was passing on secret information, especially regarding the movement of troops and security forces, to the Pakistan-based commander,” the spokesperson informed.

Several damning documents, per the official, were found in his possession at the time of his capture and confirmed his involvement in the promotion of terrorist actions.

In order to uncover the plots concocted by cadres and overground agents of various terrorist groups under the supervision of their leaders headquartered in Pakistan, the NIA suo motu initiated the terror conspiracy case on June 21 of last year.

“It involves collection and distribution of huge consignments of narcotics, cash, weapons, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), including remote control-operated sticky/magnetic bombs,” the official revealed.

The spokesperson divulged that drones are frequently used to transfer IEDs and explosives from over the border and that they are also manufactured locally in order to carry out terrorist strikes in Jammu and Kashmir. The official added, “The attacks are mainly targeted at minorities and security forces personnel.”

Notably, this development took place after the administration of the union territory abruptly changed the itinerary of around 60 foreign and local delegates touring Kashmir from May 22 to May 24 for a working group meeting on tourism. Their stay has been shortened at the Dachigam wildlife sanctuary in the summer capital city of Srinagar and the famous ski resort of Gulmarg in North Kashmir over security reasons.

The administration reduced their sightseeing excursion to close vicinity attractions in Srinagar due to security concerns, a senior official informed.

According to authorities, their trip to the Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary has also been changed to include stops at Chashma Shahi, Pari Mahal, and the Indira Gandhi Memorial Botanical Garden.

The Boulevard Road section between Nishat and Dalgate is anticipated to be closed to vehicle traffic until the significant international event at the Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) which is located along the shores of Dal Lake, is over.

In lieu of making the tiresome and time-consuming journey to Gulmarg, the delegates from nineteen G20 nations attending the working group conference at the SKICC under India’s chairmanship will tour the Royal Mughal Gardens Nishat and Shalimar. The decision was made as a safety precaution and in consideration of the long drive to the ski resort, which is around 55 km from Srinagar.

Marine Commando Force (MCF) and National Security Guards (NSG) commandos have been deployed in Jhelum and Dal Lake, respectively, as part of multi-layered security measures surrounding SKICC, the location of the G20 tourism track meeting, in order to prevent any unfortunate incidents.

Sharpshooters will be stationed atop buildings between Brein and Nishat to keep an eye on the site, as stated by officials, who also noted that police are utilising counter-drone equipment to closely monitor public movement.

While Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras have been deployed in and around the site, high-tech drones will be watching the whole city. Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have increased patrolling in Srinagar.

Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and local police contingents will be stationed around the site as part of the security measures. Patrolling in public areas has increased, and public checks and frisking have tightened in Srinagar.

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea touches the feet of PM Narendra Modi who becomes the first Indian PM to visit the island country

OpIndia Staff
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Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea touches the feet of PM Narendra Modi who becomes the first Indian PM to visit the island country

On 21st May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Papua New Guinea after attending the G7 meeting in Japan. While receiving him at the airport, Papua New Guinea’s prime minister James Marape displayed a surprising gesture by touching his feet. This was followed by a hug between the two counterparts, after which PM Modi was introduced to other officials.

Prime Minister Modi received a very warm welcome in the island country as he became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the nation. The Indians in Papua New Guinea were seen cheering on and clicking selfies with the Prime Minister. Many Indians, at this time, raised slogans like ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, and ‘Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi’.

After concluding his visit to Japan for the G7 advanced economies summit, Prime Minister Modi departed the country on Sunday. Papua New Guinea is the second country in his three-nation tour. Australia is the third country on the list. Before leaving for the tour, PM Modi released a statement in which he shared information about the schedule of his tour.

About his visit to Papua New Guinea, he said in the statement, “From Japan, I will be visiting Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. This will be my first visit, as also the first-ever visit by any Indian Prime Minister, to Papua New Guinea. I will host on 22 May 2023 the 3rd Summit of the Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC III Summit) jointly with Mr James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. I am grateful that all 14 Pacific Island Countries (PIC) have accepted the invitation to attend this important Summit. FIPIC had been launched during my visit to Fiji in 2014, and I look forward to engaging with the PIC Leaders on issues that bring us together, such as climate change and sustainable development, capacity building and training, health and well-being, infrastructure and economic development.”

He added, “Apart from the FIPIC engagements, I look forward to my bilateral interactions with Papua New Guinea Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae, Prime Minister Marape and some of the other PIC Leaders participating in the Summit.”

After Papua New Guinea, PM Modi will travel to Australia. Sharing information about that, he said in the statement, “I will be travelling to Sydney, Australia at the invitation of Prime Minister Albanese. I look forward to our bilateral meeting, which will be an opportunity to take stock of our bilateral ties and follow up on our first India-Australia Annual Summit held in New Delhi in March this year. I will also interact with Australian CEOs and business leaders, and meet the Indian community in Sydney at a special event.”

Papua New Guinea is an island nation located north of Australia, occupying the eastern half of New Guinea island, along with several smaller islands in the Melanesia region in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The western half of the New Guinea island is part of Indonesia.

Gujarat: Nursing student commits suicide after harassment by a youth, accused Abdullah Momin arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Nursing student commits suicide after harassment by a youth, accused Abdullah Momin arrested

A Hindu girl allegedly committed suicide as a result of harassment by a Muslim youth in Dakor of Gujarat. The accused, Abdullah Momin, was arrested based on the complaint filed by the deceased girl’s father.

The deceased girl lived with her family in Dakor and was pursuing nursing in Nadiad. His father works at Dakor police station, and she travelled to Nadiad from Dakor daily to attend nursing school. On May 10, the girl’s family had gone out of the village for a wedding and she stayed back at home due to her exams.

On May 12, the girl’s mother called and her phone was switched off. After several attempts, when the daughter did not pick up the phone, the mother informed the neighbour and asked her to go home and see her. The neighbour went and knocked on the door repeatedly but there was no response from inside. The girl was finally found hanging from the ceiling when the neighbours broke open the door. When the girl’s family was informed, they immediately reached Dakor and took the body of the girl to their native place and the last rites were completed there.

After all the last rites were completed, on May 18, when the girl’s father checked her phone, shocking details came to light. A person named Abdullah Momin was blackmailing the deceased girl. Several messages and recordings were recovered from the mobile phone of the deceased girl. It was clear from the conversation between the two that Abdullah used to harass and threaten the girl. It has been alleged that the girl took the final step after being harassed by the threats and harassment by Abdullah Momin.

The girl was earlier in a love affair with Abdullah. After some time, she put a full stop to the relationship. Enraged by this, Abdullah started harassing the girl. He was constantly harassing her on mobile as well as in college. The harassment did not stop even though she repeatedly asked him to stop it.

Recordings of the conversation between the girl and the accused made it clear that Abdullah had threatened to defame the girl in the society by saying that she had an affair with another youth and get her rusticated from the college. Abdullah also threatened the girl by saying that he would “ruin her life completely”.

The girl, who was tormented by the harassment, pleaded several times and asked the accused to stop the harassment. In the phone conversation, the girl also said that she may take the final step of suicide. The girl also told the accused that she would leave behind all the evidence. According to a report, on the phone, she was crying loudly and requesting Abdullah, saying ‘You killed me…’, but despite this, Abdullah continued to harass her and eventually she committed suicide by hanging herself.

On the basis of these recordings and messages, the father of the deceased Hindu girl lodged a complaint with the police, after which the Dakor police registered a case of abetment to suicide and arrested the accused Abdullah Momin. He was produced before the court after his arrest and remanded for two days.

No ID, no form required to exchange Rs 2000 denomination notes up to Rs 20,000: SBI

OpIndia Staff
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No ID, no form required to exchange Rs 2000 denomination notes up to Rs 20,000: SBI

The State Bank of India on Sunday stated that customers can exchange their Rs. 2,000 denomination bank notes up to Rs. 20,000 at the branches without obtaining any requisition slip or form. Furthermore, the tenderer will not be required to provide identification documentation during the exchange.

This information was shared by SBI with the chief general manager of each of its local head offices as part of its exercise to remove high-value currency notes from circulation.

The bank’s explanation comes in the wake of speculations and false information that have been spreading on social media, which stated that people have to submit a form along with identifying credentials such as an Aadhaar card.

The Reserve Bank of India withdrew the Rs. 2,000 notes from circulation on Friday, May 19, and directed customers to deposit the notes into their accounts or exchange them at the closest bank branches till September 30 of this year.

In order to allow the banks ample time to prepare, the central bank has invited the public to contact the banks for their deposit and/or exchange beginning on May 23.

Rs. 2,000 notes will still be accepted for purchases and other payments. However, the RBI suggested exchanging the withdrawn notes before the end of September.

In November 2016, the 2,000 denomination banknote was issued, largely to swiftly address the economy’s need for cash following the removal of legal tender status for all circulating 500 and 1,000 banknotes as part of nationwide demonetisation.

Rajasthan: Posters accusing Congress councillor Farid Qureshi of Hindu exodus come up in Kishanpole, police files FIR but says no exodus took place

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Posters accusing Congress councillor Farid Qureshi of Hindu exodus come up in Kishanpole, police files FIR but says no exodus took place

In the Kishanpole area of Rajasthan’s Jaipur, posters accusing Congress councillor Farid Qureshi of an alleged exodus of Hindu locals have sparked outrage. The row erupted after a relative of Congress councillor Farid Qureshi bought the house of a Hindu family in the Kishanpole area. As the posters blaming the Congress leader for the alleged exodus of local Hindu families surfaced, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Congress of doing appeasement. The Congress party, however, stated that it will take action against those who put up the posters. Meanwhile, the police have also registered an FIR against the unidentified persons and refuted the claims of the alleged exodus. 

The poster reads, “Local residents – forced to flee. The Exodus of Hindus from the Kishanpole area continues. Congress councillor Farid Qureshi. Ward no.69 is responsible for it.”

In Ward number 69 of the Kishanpole area, a local resident Om Prakash Pareek sold his house to the relatives of Congress’s Farid Qureshi as he was offered the desired amount. While the locals have alleged that Pareek sold his ancestral house to Farid Qureshi’s cousin even as Hindu families were willing to purchase it. Qureshi refuted the allegations saying that the Hindus and Muslims have been residing there peacefully.

On May 8, Om Prakash Pareek had filed a complaint against some people accusing them of disrupting communal harmony by giving communal colour to the property purchase.

The ‘exodus’ posters were pasted in the Purohiton Ka Chowk, wherein around fifty Hindu families reside. The residents in the area claim that the Muslim population in the area is being purposely increased. The locals have blamed this on Congress councillor Farid Qureshi. They also accused Farid of filing bogus complaints against people, as well as assaulting and abusing them. The local people expressed profound concern for the safety of the women in their families.

Speaking to the media, local Hindu women said that with a Muslim family residing in the locality, there will be a threat to the safety of women here as they hurl abuses and cattiest slurs. The women also claimed that the Muslims there have threatened to drive the Hindus out of the area. The locals blamed Congress councillor Farid Qureshi for allegedly disrupting the harmony in the locality. 

“Earlier, our children could freely roam even during the night, but now our freedom will be snatched away,” a local woman said.

Another one alleged that “if these people (Muslim family) are hurling abuses even before they have moved in their house, what will they do once they start living here.”

The local women clarified that there are four Muslim families already residing in the locality and they do not have any issues with them.

Taking to Twitter, BJP leader Ramlal Sharma slammed the CM Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government and sought action against those behind forcing Hindu families to migrate.

“Rajasthan government should stop the politics of appeasement, Work to stop the migration of Hindus. Take action against those forcing you to flee,” Sharma tweeted. 

However, in response to the BJP’s claims, the Congress has termed it as the BJP’s polarisation politics in the state. Congress spokesperson RC Chowdhary has demanded action against the person who put up the said poster. 

Meanwhile, DCP (North) Rashi Dogra Dudi said that an FIR has been registered and necessary action is being taken. The DCP maintained that no exodus took place in Kishanpole and rumours are being spread by anti-social elements.

Delhi: Sacred threads forcibly cut, poster of Lord Ram torn in a school, students punished for applying tilak and saying Jai Shri Ram

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Sacred threads forcibly cut, poster of Lord Ram torn in a school, students punished for applying tilak and saying Jai Shri Ram

An incident of discrimination by a school against Hindu students has come to light in Delhi. The school staff reportedly forced students to cut sacred threads on their wrists and tore the posters of Lord Ram. The Hindu students were also punished for applying tilak to their foreheads and saying Jai Shri Ram. The students who said Jai Shri Ram were not allowed to appear for the examination.

In this case, Hindu organizations protested outside the school. The police had to arrive at the scene to control the situation. After the protests, the students’ suspension was revoked. The sacred threads were cut on 16th May 2023. Posters of Hindu deity Lord Ram were ton on 19th May 2023. The protests against these incidents were held on 20th May 2023.

The incident took place at Vansthali Public School located in Phase 3 of Mayur Vihar. Many Hindu children here have collectively accused their teacher, Anoop Rawat, of cutting the sacred threads tied on their wrists. The cut threads were thrown into the dustbin.

The students also allege that another teacher, Ravi, tore a poster of Lord Rama in the classroom and later suspended students who said “Jai Shri Ram.” The number of suspended students is reported to be 9. A video of the students’ collective complaint is also going viral on social media.

According to one student’s accusation, those who said “Jai Shri Ram” were subjected to running 10 laps around the school before being suspended the following day. One student identified himself as a devotee of Lord Ram. Several chat conversations pertaining to this incident have gone viral on social media, featuring students engaging in discussions about the school event. It is mentioned in these viral chats that the teacher responsible for the running punishment is named Ritu.

Upon the rapid dissemination of information about the incident, Hindu organizations and students’ parents gathered at the school gate, staging a protest. They demanded immediate action against the accused teachers and the reversal of the students’ suspensions. In response, the police team was informed and promptly arrived at the scene. The police made efforts to mediate between the involved parties, which included schools, Hindu organizations and parents. During this period, some confrontations occurred between the two sides. It is noteworthy that Vansthali School was founded in 2002, and its management includes Rohit Jain as the managing director and Anuradha Jain as the principal.

OpIndia spoke to one affected student in this case. The student revealed that their sacred thread (kalava) was cut by the sports teacher, Ravi, on May 16th. Another sports teacher, Anoop, entered the classroom on May 19th and tore a poster of Lord Ram. Following this, the third sports teacher, Ritu, targeted students who said “Jai Shri Ram” and made them run laps around the school. The student further explained that the school principal has verbally suspended these three teachers, without any written order. The student also claimed that the suspended students have been reinstated.

In a video that has gone viral from inside the school, municipal councillor Munesh has also mentioned the expulsion of a teacher from the school. When OpIndia called the school numbers to verify this information about the suspensions, no one answered the calls. The official mobile number of the school was also reported to be out of service. Once the school version becomes available, it will be updated in the news.

The teachers named Ritu, Ravi, and Anoop harassed and cut the sacred threads (kalava) of five students in the school in the name of Lord Ram. Victim students have identified teacher Ritu to be a Christian. The student claims that the poster displayed in the class was created by someone for a painting competition. It was also mentioned that while other posters and paintings were left untouched, the teacher Anoop tore apart the picture of Lord Ram, citing the lack of permission to display it, and threw it in the dustbin.

According to the aggrieved student, the sacred threads (kalava) of students studying in Class 10 were cut, and a poster of Lord Ram was torn in Class 9. Some students informed that the accused teachers have committed similar actions even in the past. Additionally, the student claimed that Ritu, Ravi, and Anoop used to discourage them from applying tilak.

The student distressed because of the actions carried out by three physical education teachers at the school informed OpIndia that the “Bajrang Dal” has filed a complaint with the police. However, the student was unaware of the outcome of the complaint investigation. The student alleged that the school staff changes their way of communication and behaviour when they see the presence of the police, media, and Hindu organizations while presenting themselves differently to the students. The school principal has stated that she had no prior knowledge of the incident.

The student also expressed doubts about her statement and questioned how the children could be suspended without her knowledge. When OpIndia called DCP East Delhi for information about the police action, the calls went unanswered. Once the police version becomes available, it will be updated in the news.

According to the aggrieved student, after the uproar, the school principal tried to suppress the matter by tying sacred threads to their hands again and assured them that such incidents would not happen again. The student also mentioned that considering the tense situation, the school management has temporarily introduced online classes.

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