A Block Resource Coordinator (BRC) of the Education Department was assaulted by members of Hindu organisations during an inspection at a private school in Dabra village on Monday, August 25.
Vivek Chaukotiya, the BRC, had arrived at Nava Kanthi School on Madrasa Road following complaints of alleged religious conversion activities. Members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal were already present at the school premises when he reached for the inspection.
During the official investigation, Jai Modi, city coordinator of Bajrang Dal, lost his temper and slapped Chaukotiya while the government officer was carrying out his lawful duties. The situation escalated when some individuals locked the BRC in a room, preventing him from completing his official inspection.
The Hindu organisations claimed they had found Christian religious materials on the school campus and alleged discrepancies in student records. Chaukotiya, following standard government procedure, sealed any materials found during the inspection in a cupboard for further examination by authorities.
School Principal Anil Nigam, who has been working at the institution for seven years, said approximately 70-80 students study up to Class VIII at the school. The school director is Abraham Kranti.
Police Station In-charge Yashvant Goyal rushed to the spot with additional force after the incident was reported. The police brought the situation under control and arrested Modi along with others for questioning.
Authorities have registered a case against Jai Modi and Sandeep Sharma under the SC-ST Act and for hindering government activities. Both men were taken to the police station along with other Bajrang Dal workers involved in the incident.
The Nava Kanthi School is part of a network established by the non-profit organisation Nava Kanthi, which was founded by Abraham Kanthilal Pallikonda in 2002. Based in Machilipatnam, South India, the organisation operates in six states including Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.
According to the organisation’s stated mission, Nava Kanthi focuses on holistic development through education, skill development, income generation and literacy programmes for children, youth and women. The group has established four schools in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to provide affordable education to underprivileged rural and slum children.
The organisation states that children attending their schools come from very poor families whose parents cannot afford even subsidised fees for education.
The incident has created tension in the area, with police maintaining presence to prevent further escalation of the situation.
