School teacher 'removes' rakhis; Guj govt seeks explanation

The Gujarat government has sought explanation from a school in Gandhinagar following allegations that one of its teachers forcibly removed rakhis tied on the wrists of students.

Some parents had complained to the education department that a teacher at Mount Carmel High School cut off, with scissors, the rakhis tied on the wrists of students in Class V a day after Rakshabandhan festival.

Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama today said a notice has been issued to the school.

"The incident was unwarranted. We will not tolerate any act which hurts religious sentiments. My department has issued a notice to the school and sought explanation about who did it and who ordered it. We will take further decision after getting the reply," Chudasama told reporters.

Activists of BJP's student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested outside the school today over the alleged incident.

ABVP leader Rishikesh Mandalia claimed that when the protesters confronted the school management, they denied that such an incident happened.

The school authorities were not available for comments.