Schools in Chamarajanagar barred from taking students to religious, community and public events

Chamarajanagar Deputy Commissioner Shreeroopa has ordered all government, aided and unaided schools in the district not to take or send students to religious rituals, fairs, festivals, community programmes or other public and private events organised outside the school, including for meals or any other purpose.

The circular follows an alleged incident at Kebbehura village in Chamarajanagar taluk, where students of a government school were taken to a Bandi Utsava organised in the village for lunch. The event had arrangements for serving food to villagers.

A note issued by Chamarajanagar district administration stated that village leaders and members of the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) had asked the head teacher to send all students to the venue for lunch. The head teacher subsequently took the students to the event. “It was alleged that food was denied to 18 students belonging to the Dalit community. The incident was subsequently reported in the media,” the note added.

The Deputy Commissioner said precautionary measures were necessary to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and to ensure the safety, equality and dignity of students and maintain a conducive educational environment without any discrimination on the basis of caste, religion or community.

According to the circular, the government is already implementing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in government schools and that it is the responsibility of school heads to ensure that students are provided hot and hygienic meals under the scheme.

Accordingly, all heads of government, aided and unaided schools in Chamarajanagar district have been strictly prohibited from taking or sending students to religious rituals, fairs, festivals, community programmes or any other public or private events for meals or any other purpose.

However, if it is unavoidable to take students outside the school premises as part of any special government or educational programme, prior permission must be obtained from the concerned department. All prescribed safety measures and government regulations must also be strictly followed.

The Deputy Commissioner warned that any violation, lapse or negligence in implementing the order would make the concerned officials and heads of schools directly responsible, and action would be taken against them as per the rules.