Teacher ‘cuts off’ rakhis tied on students’ wrists; Gujarat govt seeks explanation

Some parents had complained to the Gujarat education department that a teacher at Mount Carmel High School cut off the rakhis tied on students’ wrists with scissors.

The Gujarat government has sought explanation from a school in Gandhinagar following allegations that one of its teachers forcibly removed rakhis tied on the wrists of students.

A woman looks at rakhis at a wholesale shop in Mumbai on August 20. (AFP Photo)

Some parents had complained to the education department that a teacher at Mount Carmel High School cut off, with scissors, the rakhis tied on the wrists of students in Class V, a day after Rakshabandhan.

Education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama on Wednesday said a notice has been issued to the school.

“The incident was unwarranted. We will not tolerate any act which hurts religious sentiments. My department has issued a notice to the school and sought explanation about who did it and who ordered it. We will take further decision after getting the reply,” Chudasama told reporters.

Activists of BJP’s student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested outside the school on Wednesday over the alleged incident.

ABVP leader Rishikesh Mandalia claimed that when the protesters confronted the school management, they denied that such an incident happened.

The school authorities were not available for comments.