In a dramatic turn of events, a government school teacher in Bihar has been arrested and jailed for allegedly making politically charged statements in the classroom, urging students not to vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This incident, reported on Sunday, May 19, has ignited a debate about free speech and political neutrality in educational institutions.
The teacher, identified as Harendra Rajak, was taken into custody following a complaint lodged by the district education officer (DEO) of Muzaffarpur. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rakesh Kumar, Rajak has been booked for violating the election model code of conduct, which prohibits government employees from engaging in political activities or attempting to influence election outcomes.
The controversy began when family members of several students at the government secondary school in Amrakh, Kurhani block, reported Rajak's comments to the authorities. They alleged that Rajak had told his students that "nobody should vote for Modi" because of the distribution of substandard food grains under the free ration scheme.
Ajay Kumar Singh, the DEO, confirmed receiving a written complaint from the concerned parents. "The family members claimed that children were being indoctrinated by the teacher with anti-Modi rhetoric, citing issues with the free ration scheme. Upon investigation, numerous students from the class corroborated the allegations," Singh stated.
The DEO emphasized that Rajak's actions constituted a clear violation of the model code of conduct. "The code explicitly forbids any government employee from attempting to influence the outcome of elections by speaking for or against any political party. Based on these findings, an FIR was lodged against the teacher to initiate appropriate legal action," Singh explained.
The arrest has sparked a wider conversation about the role of teachers and the limits of political expression within educational settings. While some argue that Rajak's comments were inappropriate and potentially harmful to the electoral process, others believe that his arrest raises concerns about freedom of speech and the right to express dissent.
The case has also drawn attention to the broader issue of how political discourse is managed in schools, particularly in the run-up to elections. As the nation prepares for upcoming polls, the incident underscores the importance of maintaining a clear separation between education and political campaigning.
As this story continues to unfold, it highlights the delicate balance between upholding electoral laws and protecting individual freedoms. The implications of Rajak's arrest may reverberate beyond Bihar, potentially influencing how similar cases are handled across India in the future.