Mob storms Telengana school after Malayali principal questions saffron dress code

HYDERABAD: A Hyderabad school witnessed mob rampage after the school principal questioned the choice of religious attire of some students during a special event. The incident took place in Blessed Mother Teresa High School in Kannepalli village, about 250 km from Hyderabad.

Following the incident, the police registered a case against two staff including the principal based on the complaint filed by the parents of some students. The principal has been charged with hurting religious sentiments and trying to create enmity between different sects in the name of religion.

Just two days before, Jaimon Jospeh, the principal of the school, who is also a Malayali, was irked seeing the saffron dress adorned by many students as part of observing Hanuman Deeksha, a 21-day ritual. As a punitive action, the principal summoned all parents of students to discuss the issue. A video footage of the incident soon went viral across the internet while the narrative was also made about the principal not allowing students to wear Hindu religious attire.

The next day, a group of assailants attacked the school chanting Jai Shree Ram. A video of this incident also went viral, which shows the mob going on rampage while teachers are seen pleading with them not to indulge in violence. Some were also seen pelting stones at the large statue of Mother Teresa installed in the school. Police officials who arrived amidst the chaos tried to move the assailants outside of the school compound.

As per some other reports, the assailants forcibly barged into the principal’s room and applied crimson tilak on his forehead, amidst chanting of ‘Jai Shree Ram’. The assailants also demanded an apology from the school authorities.