In Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, a school that was illegally constructed on the premises of Ganga Jamna School has been demolished. In May, pictures of female students – including Hindus – wearing hijabs went viral on social media, prompting an inquiry by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. On Friday, the school administration was served notice to remove the encroachment, but as the directors of the school were on the run, no reply was forthcoming. On Sunday, three people including the principal were arrested.
The controversy surrounding Ganga Jamna School led police to register a case against the school administration under Section 295 and the Juvenile Justice Act. On Tuesday, local civic and district administration officials, along with police, arrived at the site to remove the building’s encroachment, but encountered resistance from a large crowd that had gathered. Undeterred, officials returned in the evening and demolished part of the under-construction school.
Sources suggest that the team will return on Wednesday to remove any remaining illegal construction. Meanwhile, the three people arrested have been sent to judicial custody. Damoh Superintendent of Police Rakesh Singh commented, Yesterday, statements of two-three girls came to the fore, after which it was felt that their statement is worth taking into consideration and the investigating committee also sent that statement to us to take cognizance into it.
While the controversy surrounding the school continues, authorities are hoping to resolve the matter in a peaceful and lawful way. The inappropriate construction and other issues will likely be resolved, but the larger issue of religious freedom and cultural integration will continue to be debated and discussed.
