VHP Activists Stage Protest at Tripura School Over Saraswati Puja Permission
In a development that has sparked religious tensions in North Tripura, activists from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) staged a demonstration at the Sakhaibari Holy Cross Convent School in Dharmanagar on Thursday. The protestors were demanding official permission to organize Saraswati Puja on the school premises, citing that over 70% of the institution's students belong to the Hindu community and wish to celebrate the festival.
School Administration Cites Institutional Policy, Denies Request
The school authorities, adhering to the regulations of the Holy Cross institution, firmly denied the request for hosting the religious event on campus. This refusal prompted immediate police deployment to the site to ensure law and order were maintained. In response to the escalating situation, the school administration called an emergency meeting of guardians and suspended all classes for the day.
During the guardians' meeting, tensions flared significantly as some parents openly supported the VHP's demand. The situation intensified when these guardians gheraoed the principal, surrounding him to press their case. VHP activists later joined the gathering, further amplifying the pressure on the school management.
VHP Leader Clarifies Stance Amid Growing Criticism
The issue has attracted sharp criticism from various Hindu organizations across the region. However, VHP leader Pratap Ranjan Deb sought to clarify the group's intentions, stating that their objective was not to create religious divisions but rather to respect the cultural and religious beliefs of the school's Hindu-majority student body. He emphasized that the demand was rooted in the democratic right of the majority community.
Despite these assurances, the school administration remained steadfast in its position, reiterating that institutional policy strictly prohibits the organization of any religious events on the campus. Previous talks held on January 16th had already failed to resolve the matter, leaving both parties at an impasse.
Written Demand and Alleged Non-Acknowledgment Escalate Conflict
In a related incident on Wednesday, members of the VHP's North District Committee visited the school premises and submitted a formal letter to the principal. The letter sought written clarification and explicit permission for conducting Saraswati Puja. The VHP has alleged that the school authorities did not acknowledge receipt of this letter, which led to a heated exchange between VHP members and a female teacher at the institution.
Dharmanagar Police Station officer-in-charge Mina Debbarma confirmed that while the situation was tense, no untoward incidents had been reported. Attempts to contact the school authorities for further comments on the matter were unsuccessful, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the future course of action.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing institutional policies with community religious practices in educational settings, particularly in regions with diverse demographic compositions.
