Opposition to students reciting Sanskrit Shlokas at convent school’s annual function in Guna (MP)

Protest by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad against the school

Notice issued to the school principal by the District Education Officer

Guna (MP) – At ‘Vandana Convent School’ in Guna District, the recitation of Sanskrit Shlokas by students during the annual function angered Principal Sister Catherine, who snatched the microphone from them. In response, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) protested outside the school. ABVP activists Saksham Dubey and Dhruv Singh Kirar filed a complaint at the Police station. Consequently, District Education Officer Chandrashekhar Sisodia issued a notice to the school principal.

1. Students Dhruv Paliya and Gaurav Kirar began their speech with Sanskrit Shlokas in accordance with Hindu tradition. This angered Principal Sister Catherine, who snatched the microphone from them and stopped their speech, telling the students, “All this shayari (poetry) will not be allowed here, speak in English.”

2. The school administration stated, “In our school, on alternate days English and Hindi are spoken. On that day, English was supposed to be spoken, but the students began with a Sanskrit Shloka.”

3. The protestors demanded that a case be registered against the school administration. They also demanded that the Sanskrit Shloka, which was prevented from being recited, be included in the daily school prayer, and that Principal Sister Catherine be dismissed. The protest lasted for approximately 2 hours. The protest was called off after the District Education Officer arrived at the scene and assured action against those involved.

Editorial Perspectives

• It is not uncommon for Hindu students to be prevented from following their religious traditions in convent schools. In this context, the Union and State Governments now need to legislate.

• Please note that political parties like Congress and Samajwadi Party, which oppose shopkeepers writing their names on their shops, remain silent on such incidents.