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West Bengal: Communal tension in school over observing religious festivals

The school teachers reportedly said that they were facing pressure from Islamic fundamentalists.

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Communal tensions rose in Tehatta High School in Uluberia in Howrah district of West Bengal, over the celebration of religious functions, leading to the school suspending operations, reported IndiaToday.   

In December, some students had asked for permission to celebrate Nabi Diwas which marks the birth of Prophet Mohammad, but they were denied permission to hold the event. 

However, the students allegedly influenced by "outsiders" celebrated Nabi Diwas on December 13 despite having no permission. This led to tensions in the neighbourhood. School authorities say there was vandalism of their property. The issue worsened after the school announced it would observe Saraswati Puja on February 1. 

In response to threats from certain students, the school administration wrote to the district police asking for help on December 16 and on January 27. They informed the police that the school had suspended its functioning. Later, school headmaster Utpal Mallick quit citing worsening of the school's relationship with students and their parents.

"With due respect I am informing you that on 13th December 2016 some students of class IX, X and outsiders influenced by some local Islamic fundamental groups forcefully entered the school campus causing communal tension celebrated Biswanabi  Dibas  without taking permission from the school authority and disturbed school atmosphere," read a letter by the school's teacher-in-charge to the police.

On Tuesday, a large group of students and parents protested, demanding that the school be reopened immediately. They wrote a petition to the Uluberia police station asking that they be allowed to hold Saraswati Puja, asserting that the puja had been held for 65 years. They even blocked the NH-6 highway for several hours. 

Police used lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse protesters.

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