After the principal of a missionary school in Telangana’s Mancherial district questioned some students who were wearing religious attire to class, the students vandalized the school and the staff was physically assaulted by the mob. Police have filed a case against two staff members, including the principal, under sections pertaining to hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion, after receiving a complaint from the parents of the students.
Authorities at Blessed Mother Teresa High School in Kannepalli village, about 250 km from Hyderabad, have said that principal Jaimon Joseph, a resident of Kerala, noticed two days back that some students had worn a saffron attire to school. When he asked the students about this, they replied they were observing Hanuman Deeksha, a 21-day ritual. The principal then asked them to bring their parents to school so that he can discuss this.
When a video was posted on social media and it was alleged that the principal was forbidding Hindu clothing on campus, the situation became more heated. A mob attacked the school shortly after that. Videos show terrified teachers pleading with terrified men to stop them as they smash window panes and shout Jai Shri Ram. The men are dressed in saffron. Police officers can be seen attempting to maintain order and chasing the demonstrators out of the school hallways.
Some men surrounded principal Joseph, beat him up and forcibly applied tilak on his forehead, according to reports. The protesters have demanded an apology from the school.
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