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In a controversial incident, a 60-year-old headmaster of a government school in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district has been arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. The headmaster, Ratalal Sarovar, is accused of administering a pledge to a group of people, urging them not to believe in Hindu gods and encouraging them to embrace Buddhism.
Chhattisgarh School Headmaster Arrested. The incident took place on January 22, coinciding with the consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol at the Ayodhya temple. Sarovar allegedly gathered a group, including children, in Mohtarai village under Ratanpur police station limits. During the gathering, he purportedly administered a pledge discouraging the worship of Hindu deities such as Lord Shiva, Ram, and Krishna, advocating for the adoption of Buddhism.
The district education officer suspended Sarovar following the incident, which came to light after a video of the alleged act went viral on social media. Rupesh Shukla, an office-bearer of a right-wing organization, filed a complaint stating that Sarovar’s actions hurt the sentiments of the followers of Sanatan Dharma.
School Headmaster Arrested, Discouraging Worship of Hindu Gods. Based on the complaint, Sarovar was arrested on Sunday. He faces charges under Indian Penal Code sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class).
A probe is underway into the case, as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the headmaster’s actions and the impact it may have had on religious sentiments.
