Chhattisgarh Government School Principal Removed Over Asaram Booklet Distributed to Students

The principal of a government school in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur district has been removed from his post after a booklet featuring rape convict Asaram was distributed among students, with allegations that they were asked to prepare for a test based on its contents.

Parents of students who brought copies of the booklet home complained to authorities at Swami Atmanand School in Raghunathnagar, questioning why material published by an organisation associated with a convicted sex offender was distributed to their children.

Education Department Orders Inquiry

District Education Officer Narendra Nirapure ordered an inquiry following the complaints. Shyam Kishore Jaiswal, the block education officer for Wadrafnagar, visited the school and recorded statements from students and their parents.

During the inquiry, some students reportedly told officials that principal Mahesh Prajapati had distributed copies of Sanskar Sarita, a booklet featuring Asaram’s photographs and quotes. The distribution allegedly followed a visit by members of an organisation associated with the convicted rapist.

Principal Attached to Education Office

The education department subsequently relieved Prajapati of his duties as principal and temporarily attached him to the office of the deputy director of education.

The inquiry is examining who authorised the distribution of the booklet and whether students were instructed to study its contents for a classroom assessment.

Authorities are yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the distribution and the alleged test instructions.