A controversial incident in Hyderabad has sparked outrage among Hindu groups after a student was reportedly sent home for wearing an Ayyappa maala. Based on the reports from Telugu Latestly, the incident occurred at Delhi World Public School in Kompally, where the school management barred the student from entering the classroom and expelled him from the premises for wearing the Hindu traditional dress with Ayyappa maala.
The incident has ignited a wave of protests from Hindu organizations, who have strongly condemned the school’s actions. They are demanding immediate legal action against the school management, accusing it of discriminating against the student’s religious expression.
A video of the incident has been widely circulated on social media, further fueling the outrage. Many individuals and groups have criticized the school’s decision as a violation of the student’s religious freedom. Dr. Ravinuthala Shashidhar, a prominent figure on social media, shared the video, questioning the fairness of the school’s actions and urging authorities to intervene.
In a tweet, he wrote, “A child wearing an Ayyappa mala is asking, ‘What mistake have I made?’ Hindu society, what is your answer? The student, wearing the Ayyappa mala, was expelled from the class and sent home by Delhi World Public School, Kompally. Legal action must be taken against the school management.”
Hindu groups have appealed to the Hyderabad police and other relevant authorities to investigate the matter and hold the school accountable. They argue that such actions set a dangerous precedent for the suppression of religious practices in educational institutions. The school management has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, but the growing public outcry highlights the sensitivity of religious expression in Bharat and the need for institutions to uphold inclusivity and respect for cultural diversity.
The incident has raised serious questions about the balance between school policies and individual rights, with many calling for stricter measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Delhi Public School Kompally issued a notice reinforcing its uniform policy, stating that students must strictly adhere to the prescribed dress code, even during personal religious observances like wearing an Ayyappa garland (maala). The notice further directed parents to keep children at home if they could not comply, promising remedial classes later. While the policy aims to maintain uniformity and discipline, it has drawn sharp criticism from Hindu groups, who view it as dismissive of religious sentiments and discriminatory against Hindu practices.
From a Hindu perspective, the school’s stance undermines the importance of spiritual observances like Ayyappa Deeksha, which hold deep cultural and religious significance. Wearing the Ayyappa garland is not a casual deviation from uniformity but a sacred practice involving a period of spiritual discipline and devotion. By framing this as a violation of dress code, the school disregards the pluralistic ethos that Bharat stands for. Furthermore, the suggestion to exclude children from attending school during this period not only disrupts their education but indirectly penalizes them for practicing their faith.
For a truly inclusive environment, schools must accommodate and respect diverse religious expressions, especially when they do not harm or disrupt others. Denying a student the right to observe their faith while participating in education is seen by many as an affront to religious freedom and equality enshrined in the Bharatiya Constitution.
In 2022, the hijab controversy in Karnataka became a major issue when Islamist groups, including the Campus Front of India (CFI), the student wing of the banned Islamist organization Popular Front of India (PFI), appeared to orchestrate the demand for wearing hijabs in schools and colleges in Udupi, Karnataka. Despite initial opposition, the government, led by Congress, supported the hijab and later lifted the ban on wearing it in educational institutions. This development has sparked strong criticism from Hindu organizations, which are now questioning why Islamists are allowed to wear the hijab as an expression of their faith while Hindus are being restricted from practicing their religious traditions, such as wearing the Ayyappa Maala. Hindu groups argue that this represents a double standard and undermines the principle of equal respect for all religions.
