On the morning of Friday, June 14, a significant number of parents gathered in protest at the Raghunathganj Higher Girls School located in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. The cause of their uproar? A school policy reportedly enforced by one of the teachers that barred Hindu students from wearing traditional religious symbols, specifically the tilak and the tulsi mala, while attending school.

In the context of Hindu culture, both the tilak—a mark worn usually on the forehead—and the tulsi mala—a string of beads made from the sacred tulsi plant—are not just decorative elements. They are imbued with substantial religious significance, reflecting devotion and a deep sense of spirituality.

The controversy further escalated with allegations from one of the students, claiming an unsettling mandate regarding the school's mid-day meal program. The student reported that the school administration compels all students to consume the meals provided, which purportedly include no vegetarian options. This situation places vegetarian students in a particularly distressing position, as they are pressured to partake in non-vegetarian food, conflicting with their dietary ethics and religious practices.

Local media outlets have picked up on the story, spotlighting the distress of the parents and the affected students who demand immediate action to rectify these policies, which they view as insensitive to their cultural and religious practices.

The unfolding events at Raghunathganj Higher Girls School gained further attention when a student courageously reported her concerns to her family. This student's act of sharing the troubling situation with her parents led them directly to the school’s principal, seeking to address the matter formally.

As tensions rose, the parents assembled at the school's main entrance, transforming the area into a site of peaceful protest through the singing of bhajans—devotional songs that expressed their discontent and called for respect towards their religious practices. The scene outside the school intensified as sadhus (Hindu holy men) and followers of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) arrived, standing in solidarity with the protesting parents. Together, they unified their voices to challenge the school management's controversial policy, demanding the immediate revocation of the ban imposed by the teacher.

The backdrop to this controversy is that the students had just resumed classes following their summer break. It was during this return that Anu Mondal, a student in the eighth grade, faced direct repercussions. She recounted that upon her arrival in class adorned with a tilak, she was promptly chastised by her teacher, Vashwati, who enforced the contentious rule.

The teacher demanded that Anu remove the tilak, citing a prior warning issued to the students before the summer break against wearing such religious symbols to school. The teacher expressed her frustration, emphasizing that Anu’s failure to comply with the directive was unacceptable. According to reports, the teacher justified her stance by claiming that the tilak was visually disturbing to her and therefore inappropriate for the school environment.

Amidst this confrontation, Anu also voiced concerns shared by many of her peers regarding the school’s mid-day meal policy. Despite a significant number of students being vegetarians, they were reportedly required to consume non-vegetarian meals. This policy not only overlooked their dietary preferences but also posed a conflict with their religious and ethical beliefs.

The distressing encounter with her teacher left Anu profoundly affected. Local media sources captured her words, detailing the emotional and physical impact of the incident: “I requested madam to give in writing that I cannot come to the school wearing the tilak but madam did not sign. She kept scolding me. My hands and legs were shivering in fear,” Anu recounted.

The controversy at Raghunathganj Higher Girls School drew comments from higher educational authorities in the region. Amar Kumar Sheel, the District Inspector, clarified the government's stance on the issue, stating, "There is no such government mandate that prohibits students from wearing a tilak to school. There should be no objection from the school authorities." This statement emphasized the lack of official restrictions against the display of religious symbols such as the tilak within educational institutions, contradicting the actions taken by the school teacher.

In response to the escalating situation, Karabi Nandi, the principal of Raghunathganj Higher Girls School, acknowledged the incident involving the teacher's prohibition against the tilak. She mentioned her proactive steps in seeking guidance from higher educational authorities, stating, “A teacher of the school had forbidden the student from wearing a tilak. I have enquired with higher authorities whether or not religious rites in schools may be accepted.” This inquiry reflects the school’s effort to address the controversy by aligning with official guidelines on religious expressions within educational settings.

Principal Nandi further clarified the current policy after her consultations: “At present, there is no such rule banning tilaks in the school, and anyone can practice their religion. Girls can come to school wearing tilak. There’s no stopping it,” she affirmed.