Protests Erupt Over School's Advisory on Religious Symbols in J&K

Recent events in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, have sparked significant unrest following an advisory from Christ School, Digwar, which reportedly restricted students from wearing traditional Hindu symbols such as tilak, bindi, and mehendi. This directive drew the ire of various Hindu organizations, including the Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and Bajrang Dal, who organized protests to voice their discontent. The demonstrators labeled the advisory as an affront to Hindu religious sentiments and demanded accountability from the school's administration, specifically calling for action against the principal for what they perceived as a disrespectful stance towards their cultural practices.

In response to the escalating tensions, the protesters made their way to the Poonch Police Station, where they formally submitted a memorandum to the Station House Officer (SHO). Their request included the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against the school's principal, highlighting the seriousness of their grievances. The Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Poonch, Mohammad Iqbal Gulshan, quickly intervened, stating that the Education Department had summoned the principal to address the situation. The principal, Sudeep Mathew, acknowledged the controversy and expressed remorse over the advisory, emphasizing that it was never intended to offend any religious or cultural beliefs.