Saraswati puja defiled in government school; teacher arrives in drunk state
Surguja, Chhattisgarh, India 
22 January, 2026
Case Summary
In the Surguja district of Chhattisgarh, a government teacher named Buddheshwar Das arrived at a Saraswati Puja held at a school after consuming alcohol. As per media reports, in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district, a government teacher arrived at school in an inebriated state on Basant Panchami during Saraswati Puja. With folded hands, the intoxicated teacher stated that he had come for Saraswati Puja. While others were engaged in prayers, he offered a coconut. When a villager asked what he had consumed, the teacher responded that he had consumed nothing and said that he had eaten dal and rice for lunch. People present at the scene recorded a video of the teacher, which went viral on social media. The incident took place at Junapara Primary School in Gumgra. Buddheshwar Das, who was posted as a teacher at Junapara Primary School in Gumgra, was known to be a habitual alcoholic. On Friday, 23 January 2026, Saraswati Puja was organised at the school on the occasion of Basant Panchami, during which Buddheshwar Das reached the premises in an intoxicated state. Parents attending the puja noticed the teacher’s condition and recorded a video, which later went viral. While recording the video, when questioned about alcohol consumption, the teacher initially denied it and stated that he had eaten lunch at the primary school. When asked to disclose his name, he questioned the need to reveal it. The government teacher told those recording the video that he was posted in Pahargaon, Mainpat. He later stated that he was posted in Gumgra Khurd. He said that since it was Saraswati Puja, he had made another offering to the deity. He identified Vinod Gupta as the person in charge but refused to contact him, stating that he did not have his phone number. Panchayat Sarpanch representative Guddu Singh and other villagers stated that teacher Buddheshwar Das was a habitual alcoholic who arrived at school intoxicated regularly. Despite repeated warnings by villagers, his behaviour did not improve. After receiving information that the teacher had arrived at school after consuming alcohol, Sarpanch Rupmaniya Maravi reached the school along with Panchayat representatives. A Gram Sabha was convened, during which a proposal was passed demanding the removal of teacher Buddheshwar Das from the school. Lakhanpur Block Education Officer DK Gupta stated that the video of teacher Buddheshwar Das was received. The cluster in charge was directed to conduct an inquiry, following which it was confirmed that the teacher had arrived at school after consuming alcohol. The inquiry report was forwarded to the Surguja District Education Officer with a recommendation for suspension.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
The primary category selected in this case is: Attack on Hindu religious representations, the sub- category selected is: Breaking rules of worship. Sanatan Dharma is not a religion of one book, which is to say that while it has religious scriptures that form the central tenets of the faith, there are several traditions followed through thousands of years, mostly passed from generation to generation orally. One of these oral traditions or written traditions is the rules of specific temples. Certain temples have rules that are traditional, dependent on the worship of the presiding deities. These rules and traditions have been followed for thousands of years, whether they find scriptural mention or not. Such traditions are based on the nature and rules of worship of the presiding deity of that temple. Any non-compliance of these traditions owing to animosity towards the faith or for the sake of activism stems not only from the lack of faith in the presiding deity but also disregard for the faith of the devotees of that deity/temple and implicit bias against the faith, the tradition and the deity itself. Since these specific traditions are central to the faith of the devotees of that specific temple and presiding deity, any non-compliance with these traditional rules would be considered a religiously motivated hate crime. The other sub-category selected is: Defiling religious customs. Sanatan Dharma is not a religion of one book, which is to say that while it has religious scriptures that form the central tenets of the faith, there are several traditions followed through thousands of years, mostly passed from generation to generation orally. Several such customs and traditions are followed by various Hindus and Hindu sects. Defiling of these traditions and customs is a breach of an individual or group’s religious practices. Such practices can range from dietary restrictions like not eating non-vegetarian food for a certain period of the year, not eating non-vegetarian food at all, not eating beef since the cow is considered holy in Hinduism, the sanctity of religious customs followed in the house (like many ISCKON devotees), etc. Any malicious action leading to the breach of such traditions or defilement of these traditions owing to animosity towards the faith or for the sake of activism stems not only from the lack of faith in the religion itself but also from disregard for the faith of the devotees who follow the customs/traditions and implicit bias against the faith, the tradition itself. Since these specific traditions are central to the faith of the devotees of that specific sect of Hindus, any non-compliance with these traditional rules would be considered a religiously motivated hate crime. This incident constituted a hate crime against Hindus as it involved the deliberate defilement of a sacred Hindu religious observance held within a government school. Saraswati Puja is a revered Hindu religious ceremony symbolising knowledge, discipline, and purity. A government teacher arriving at the place of worship in an intoxicated state on Basant Panchami, a day of deep religious significance for Hindus, amounted to a direct violation of the sanctity of the ritual. By participating in the puja while drunk, speaking incoherently, and behaving irresponsibly in front of devotees, the teacher degraded the solemnity of the religious proceedings. His actions disrupted the spiritual atmosphere of the Saraswati Puja and caused distress to Hindu parents, students, and villagers who had gathered to perform the ritual with reverence. The conduct demonstrated a complete lack of respect for Hindu religious practices and processions. As an educator and a representative of the state, the teacher was entrusted with upholding discipline and sensitivity, especially during religious events organised on school premises. His behaviour instead conveyed contempt towards Hindu beliefs and rituals, thereby normalising disrespect towards Hindu religious traditions. Such acts go beyond personal misconduct and enter the domain of religious hostility, as they publicly demean a Hindu religious ceremony and undermine the dignity of Hindu faith practices. The incident reflected an attitude of disregard towards Hindu religious sentiments and contributed to the erosion of respect for Hindu rituals in public and institutional spaces.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
