In Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand, the construction of 35-foot tall minarets at the Government Primary Urdu School’s main gate has ignited significant communal tension. Local Muslims, asserting the land as their own, commenced the build late last month, inciting protests from over 128 villagers and drawing attention to the imposition of religious identities on educational institutions.
Roots of Controversy
The controversy began when local Muslims undertook the construction of two large minarets at the school’s entrance, claiming the property as private land. Despite showing papers to support their claim, the move has been met with fierce opposition from the local Hindu community, including organizations like Bajrang Dal, who see this as an attempt to impart a religious identity to a government educational facility. The education department’s inaction against the school principal, Naushad Alam, who is allegedly responsible for permitting the construction, has only fueled the dispute.
Community Response and Government Action
As the situation escalated, a large protest organized by local Hindu organizations and villagers demanded the immediate removal of the minarets and legal action against those involved. Government officials, including Ichak CO Ramji Prasad, have visited the site for inspection and preliminary investigations suggest the construction may be illegal. The local education department has been criticized for its silence and lack of response to the growing communal tension.
Looking Forward
The incident at the Government Primary Urdu School in Dumraun raises significant questions about the use of government school properties and the broader implications of religious expressions in public education spaces. With the district administration now involved, the community awaits a resolution that respects both legal frameworks and the diverse cultural identities that make up the fabric of Hazaribagh’s society.
This story was originally published in bnnbreaking.com.