Maharashtra School in the Dock For Prohibiting Students From Wearing Tilak, Bindi, Rakhi; Civic Body Serves Notice

Maharashtra's Kalyan civic authorities served notice on a private school following complaints that it was denying students the right to wear religious or cultural symbols, an official stated on Wednesday.

The issue cropped up after parents complained that children were not allowed to wear 'tilak' or 'tikli' (bindi), bangles, or religious threads such as rakhi.

Parents reported that some students had their 'tilaks' wiped off and were threatened with punishment. Some were even physically beaten.

Local party workers grievanced to the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation's (KDMC) education department. The department, in turn, sent a notice to the school on Tuesday, asking for explanations about the alleged restrictive policies and acts of punishment.

"Immediately after the complaint was made by the parents, the department took action and sent a notice to the school. We hope that the problem will be solved soon. There is no use dragging the issue any further. The issue will be settled between the parents and the school administration amicably," the official added.

School officials, in a statement, came to the defense of its policies while reaffirming its commitment to secularism, quality education, and student security.

"The school has never issued any fatwa," it said, citing that the institution gives "prime importance to the security of the students".

The school always strives to maintain "harmony between the school, students, parents, teachers and management," it added further.