Madhya Pradesh: FIR Against Management Of Ganga Jamuna School In Damoh Over 'Hijab' Row

An FIR has been lodged against the management of Ganga Jamuna School in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh district after a controversy erupted over allegations that female students at the school were being compelled to wear headscarves.

According to the police, the school management has been booked under IPC sections 295 and 506 in addition to the Juvenile Justice Act, following statements of two students.

The charges relate to accusations of defiling a religious place of worship and criminal intimidation.

Damoh SP Rakesh Singh said the FIR was lodged on the basis of the statements of two students who have made allegations against the school management.

“No arrests have been made. We are recording the statements of the two complainants following which further course of action will be taken,” Singh was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday (6 June) expressed concerns over female students being forced to wear a hijab in the state.

He stated that there will be a thorough investigation in the case.

"Let me assure you that nobody will force our students, daughters to wear something, whether it is a hijab or something else,” CM had said, IE reported.

Earlier, it was alleged that a poster showed girl students, including Hindu students, wearing hijab-like headscarves.

District officials, including the Collector, had stated that "there were allegations of religious conversion but it was not found to be true".

Considering the seriousness of the issue, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra on 31 May ordered a police enquiry into the matter.

Further, the State Education Department on 2 June derecognised the school, citing inadequate infrastructure – “no proper library” and “no proper practical material”, among other reasons.