A fresh controversy has erupted in Kolkata’s adjoining Barasat, North 24 Paraganas, after the headmistress of a government-aided girls’ school allegedly instructed students not to wear Tulsi garlands on school premises— a directive that has triggered outrage among locals and drawn sharp criticism from religious and community leaders.
The incident, which occurred at Barasat Nabpalli Yogendranath Balika Vidyamandir, came to light after an audio clip—purportedly featuring the voice of headmistress Indrani Dutta Chakraborty — went viral. In the clip, a voice is heard stating, “No one should enter the school wearing a Tulsi garland around their neck or anything on their hands or shoulders.” While the authenticity of the audio has not yet been independently verified by NIA, its circulation has provoked widespread public ire.
Locals, particularly those adhering to the Vaishnav tradition, have condemned the alleged directive as an infringement on religious freedom. Devotees of Vaishnavism often wear Tulsi (holy basil) garlands as a spiritual practice—a symbol of devotion and identity. Community members argue that such religious expressions cannot and should not be policed within a democratic framework.
Also read: Air India flight suffers tech snag, passengers deplaned in Kol
“This is not just about a garland. It’s about belief, identity and rights,” said one local resident, ADDING, “No educational authority has the jurisdiction to dictate personal religious practices. This is an unacceptable overreach.”
As protests swell in the locality, school authorities are scrambling to contain the fallout. Indrani tried to clarify her stance. “I’ve observed children accidentally tearing their Tulsi garlands while playing, causing injuries or scattering the beads. My concern was solely for their safety— not to offend anyone’s faith,” she said.
However, her explanation has done little to douse the flames of public dissent.
Champak Das, president of the school’s management committee, condemned the headmistress’s actions in no uncertain terms. “No one — not even a headmistress — has the right to impose personal choices on students, especially when it comes to matters of faith. What someone wears or eats cannot be dictated in Bengal. Such authoritarian behavior is utterly unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he stated firmly.
The controversy has brought to the fore a larger debate about the boundaries of school regulations and the protection of individual religious expression. With locals’ sentiment running high, authorities may be forced to intervene and issue clear guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Also read: Mamata slams Centre over denial of funds
Follow us
