Urdu name for farewell function in Rajasthan school leads to Education Department probe: Report
Jaipur: The Rajasthan Education Department has initiated an investigation into a school function in Baran district following the use of an Urdu name for the event. Officials from the department visited the Mahatma Gandhi Government School in Shahabad to probe the matter.
The controversy arose after invitation cards for a farewell function on February 28 were sent out with the title ‘Jashn-e-Alvida’, or ‘celebration of a farewell’, written in Hindi, as reported by The Indian Express on Wednesday.
The card, which featured an image of Goddess Saraswati, went viral on social media, prompting Baran’s District Education Office to set up a three-member team to conduct an inquiry. The committee, led by Devendra Singh, Chief Block Education Officer of Kishanganj, includes principals from two other schools. The team visited the school on Tuesday to gather information and conduct inquiries.
According to the order issued by the office, as cited by IE, ‘Jashn-e-Alvida’ was inscribed on the invitation card “contrary to the departmental guidelines”. Singh confirmed that a probe report was being prepared and would be submitted shortly.
Vikesh Kumar, the school’s principal, explained that the event was meant to recognise the achievements of class 12 students and bid them farewell.
“There are some Muslim students in the school, and they suggested and gave this title for the function. Then, at the School Development Management Committee (SDMC) meeting, the parents also consented to the name,” Kumar told IE.
He mentioned that after the invitation cards were printed, it was realised that the name of the event did not align with “government parlance." Kumar added: "We withdrew the cards, but a few were left with the students who made them viral. It was also picked up by the media."
As the investigation continues, officials have collected various materials, including the proposal submitted by students, details of staff meetings, videos from the event, and newspaper cutting related to the incident.
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Under fire over links with rape-accused godman, Maharashtra women's panel chief Chakankar quits
Mumbai (PTI): Facing flak from opposition parties over her association with rape-accused 'godman' Ashok Kharat, Maharashtra State Commission for Women chairperson Rupali Chakankar on Friday tendered her resignation.
Chakankar, who is also the NCP women's wing chief, submitted the resignation letter to deputy Chief Minister and party president Sunetra Pawar.
According to sources, she met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier in the evening, and he asked her to resign.
In the letter addressed to Fadnavis, Chakankar stated that she was stepping down from the post with immediate effect.
She had been appointed to the post on October 15, 2024.
"Due to personal reasons, I am submitting my resignation from the post," the letter read, while also thanking the state leadership and colleagues for their cooperation.
Earlier, opposition leaders sought to corner the BJP-led government by highlighting Chankankar's links with the accused.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare claimed that under the influence of Kharat, who claims to be an astrologer, Chakankar 'cut' her 'anamika' or ring finger as part of some occult ritual. Andhare also showed photos where Chakankar is purportedly seen with a bandage on her ring finger.
Activist Anjali Damania too demanded immediate ouster of Chakankar. Kharat, who claims to be a retired Merchant Navy officer and is known as "captain", was involved in sexual exploitation of women under the guise of spiritual practices and also in financial frauds and land grabbing, she alleged.
The demand for Chakankar’s resignation intensified after it emerged that she had performed rituals alongwith Kharat, who heads Shree Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple Trust of which she is a member.
Kharat, who had several politcal leaders visit him over the years, was arrested in Nashik on Wednesday for allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulting a woman for three years.
Damania alleged that Kharat used to conduct rituals to influence devotees and exploit women.
Chakankar, in a post on X two days ago, had denied having any knowledge about Kharat's personal life.
Rajya Sabha member Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati demanded that Chakankar step down, while Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut wanted to know who was protecting her.
Sources said chief minister Fadnavis had taken cognisance of the rape case involving Kharat, and directed strict action against him two weeks ago.
Kharat was arrested on the basis of a complaint filed by a 35-year-old woman. He called her to his office claiming that his predictions pointed to “threats” to her husband’s life, gave her sedative-laced drinks, and raped her on multiple occasions between November 2022 and December 2025, the complaint said.
State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said a woman police official of Additional Director General rank should head the SIT probe in the Kharat case.
