MP: School disallows student entry for 'tilak'
education dept asks institution to maintain religious harmony
Indore, Jul 9: A private school in Indore in Madhya Pradesh has been asked by the education department to maintain "all religion harmony" after it allegedly disallowed a student from sporting a tilak (religious mark on forehead with vermilion), an official said on Sunday.
A video of the student standing outside Shree Bal Vigyan Shishu Vihar Higher Secondary School claiming he was not allowed inside as he was sporting a tilak was widely circulated on social media.
The student also claimed school authorities had said they would give him his transfer certificate in case he repeated the act.
Another video showed some people arguing with school authorities on how they could stop someone from coming to an educational institution simply because he sported a tilak.
In the video, a woman teacher can be heard saying the school was run on the basis of "sarva dharma sambhaav" (equality and harmony among all religions).
District Education Officer (DEO) Manglesh Kumar Vyas told reporters on Sunday that he had discussed the issue with the principal of the school.
"The school principal told me some people are giving this matter undue importance. However, he has expressed regret and said he would hold a meeting with parents of students to sort it out," Vyas said.
"The school management has been asked to maintain harmony among all religions in the institution. To maintain discipline in schools, students can be asked to wear the same uniform. However, if a student comes to school with tilak on his birthday, after worshipping or on any special occasion, he cannot be asked to remove it," Vyas added.
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Balasaheb would have broken his mouth: Eknath Shinde on Arvind Sawant's 'imported maal' remark
Thane: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has strongly criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant for his comment referring to Shaina NC as "imported maal." Shinde asserted that if Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray were alive, he "would have broken his mouth" for making such a remark. Calling Sawant's statement "unfortunate," Shinde condemned the disrespect toward women, saying, "Speaking ill of a woman is highly condemnable, and no amount of criticism is enough."
Shinde expressed that the women of Maharashtra would ensure Sawant faces consequences in the upcoming elections, highlighting that such remarks reveal the character of those making them. Following Shaina NC’s complaint, a case has been registered at Nagpada Police Station, listing charges related to defamation and outraging the modesty of a woman.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also criticised Sawant’s remarks, affirming that derogatory comments against women have no place in society and contradict Maharashtra's values of respect and dignity.
In response, Sawant clarified that he did not directly mention Shaina’s name and claimed his remarks were misinterpreted. The Maharashtra Assembly elections are set for November 20, with vote counting on November 23.
