Hindu students forced to cut Kalava, remove tilak, not chant "Jai Shri Ram"; Christian teachers tear poster of Lord Ram
East Delhi, Delhi, India 
15 May, 2023
Case Summary
In Delhi, an instance of discrimination against Hindu students surfaced in May, 2023 at Vanasthali Public School located in Phase 3 of Mayur Vihar. A school staff forced students to cut sacred threads (kalava) and tore posters of Lord Ram. The student said that the poster displayed in the class was created by someone for a painting competition. Notably, other posters and paintings were left untouched. Hindu students were punished for applying tilak and saying "Jai Shri Ram," with those uttering the phrase being barred from exams. The incident involved teachers Anoop Rawat, Ravi and Ritu (a Christian). The sacred threads were cut on May 16, 2023, and the poster of the Hindu deity Ram was torn on May 19. According to one student, those who said “Jai Shri Ram” were subjected to running 10 laps around the school before being suspended the following day. Following the incident, Hindu organisations protested on May 20, leading to police intervention and the revocation of student suspensions. The actions were denied by the school principal, Anuradha Jain. However, a video went viral that attested to what the students said. Despite attempts to verify the suspensions, the school remained unresponsive. The harassed students, including those from Classes 9 and 10, reported prior instances of discrimination. The Bajrang Dal filed a police complaint, but the outcome remained unknown.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
Icons and symbols or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal are widely revered in Hinduism. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols which have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Since these Hindu religious symbols hold paramount importance in Hinduism, any desecration of symbols, icons, murtis, religious representations and manifestations, is driven by animosity towards the faith itself which manifests itself through these murtis, icons and symbols. Therefore, any desecration of these Hindu religious symbols and representations is considered religiously motivated hate crimes under this category. In this case, the teachers of the school displayed deep disdain for the Hindu faith by forcefully removing the tilak and sacred threads (Kalavas) from Hindu students' foreheads and wrists respectively. In Hinduism, the Tilak and Kalava hold deep religious, cultural, and spiritual significance. It symbolizes protection, blessings, unity, and commitment to spiritual and ethical principles. Its use across various rituals and ceremonies underscores its importance in the Hindu way of life and by forcefully removing the tilak and cutting off the Kalava, the teachers insulted the Hindu faith and displayed their deep disdain towards the religion. Furthermore, the teachers also stopped the students from chanting the Jai Shri Ram slogan which is seen as a religiously motivated crime as it unjustly infringes on the right to religious expression of the Hindus. They also tore a poster of Lord Ram, one of the most revered Hindu gods. All these actions stem from hatred towards the Hindu faith, which is why this case has been categorised as a religiously motivated hate crime.
Victim Details
Total Victim
5
Deceased
0
Gender
- Male 5
- Female 0
- Third Gender 0
- Unknown 0
Caste
- SC/ST 0
- OBC 0
- General 0
- Unknown 5
Age Group
- Minor 5
- Adult 0
- Senior Citizen 0
- Unknown 0
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
both
Sources 
