Schoolteacher beats up students for observing Janmashtami fast, gets suspended

Schoolteacher suspended for 'hurting religious sentiments. He allegedly thrashed Classes 7th and 8th students.

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Raipur:  A government school teacher has been suspended for allegedly beating up students for observing fast on Janmashtami festival and making objectionable comment against a Hindu god in Chhattisgarh's Kondagaon district, officials said on Thursday.

The suspension order of the teacher, Charan Markam, posted at Government Middle School in Bundapara under Girola village panchayat, was issued on Wednesday based on a preliminary inquiry into a complaint against him, Kondagaon Collector Pushpendra Kumar Meena said. The village panchayat and local villagers had complained that Markam had allegedly thrashed some students of Classes 7 and 8 in the school on Tuesday for observing fast on Janmashtami and also made objectionable comments against Lord Krishna, he said.

The villagers had submitted audio and video evidence in support of their allegations, Meena said. Subsequently, a government official was sent to conduct an inquiry, and based on his report, the teacher was suspended with immediate effect, he said. A report in this regard has been forwarded to police for further action on the matter, the collector added. The suspension order stated, hurting religious sentiments and spreading hatred in the society comes under the category of serious misconduct. Your (Markam) act is against the Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1965.

Another official said, Janmashtami was celebrated on Monday and the next day when students reached school, Markam asked how many of them had observed fast and performed rituals during the festival. Those students who raised their hands indicating affirmation were separated from others and were allegedly beaten up by him, he said. According to the police, it has received a complaint and a report in connection with the incident and necessary action will be taken.

A separate police complaint, lodged by a tribal organization, alleged Markam was assaulted by local residents. ?We have received a report of the district administration and a complaint by local villagers against the teacher. Besides, a counter-complaint has been received from the Sarva Adivasi Samaj, an association of tribal communities, claiming the teacher was manhandled by locals," a senior police official said and assured necessary action.