Hijab row: Locals vandalise school in Bengal's Murshidabad; 18 held
India Today
A school in West Bengal's Murshidabad district was vandalised by the locals after the school headmaster allegedly forbade girl students from wearing hijab.
A school in West Bengal's Murshidabad district was vandalised by the locals on Saturday after the school allegedly forbade girl students from wearing a hijab and burqa to the class. At least 18 people have been arrested in the case so far.
The incident took place at Bahutali High School in Murshidabad's Suti area on Saturday. On Friday, the school headmaster reportedly told girl students not to come to school wearing hijab/burqa or their name would be removed from the school registry.
Next day, locals, including guardians of the students, gathered around the school and started vandalising the property. The block development officer (BDO) and the police rushed to the school and controlled the situation.
Watch | Hijab showdown: Violence erupts in Bengal, locals attack school in Murshidabad
Large numbers of police personnel had to be deployed and tear gas shells were fired to bring the situation under control.
Later, a meeting was held on behalf of the school administration with the family members of the girl students. It was clarified by the school that there was no such order.
