A private missionary school in Kolkata has suspended a teacher for repeatedly wiping a sandalwood tilak off a student’s forehead. An FIR has also been registered against the teacher.
The action was taken after the intervention of West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. An Education Department official shared the information on Friday, September 4.
The matter came to light after a video went viral on social media. In the video, the student alleged that the teacher would wipe the tilak off his forehead before he entered the school.
The video sparked a controversy over religious freedom in educational institutions.
After the matter was brought to the Leader of Opposition’s attention, the administration investigated the complaint and took action against the teacher, the Education Department official said.
Leader of Opposition also took action against an employee
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also announced the suspension of an Education Department employee for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.
During a press conference in Kolkata, the official said that derogatory remarks by government employees against the Prime Minister or anyone holding a constitutional post would not be tolerated.
He said government employees are required to follow the prescribed code of conduct. The names of the teacher, student and Education Department employee involved in the cases have not been disclosed.
It is also not yet known at which police station the FIR was registered or what the current status of the investigation is.
This report is based on information from news agency PTI and an Education Department official.
