Chhattisgarh headmaster arrested for administrating pledge against Hindu gods

Administering a pledge against worshipping Hindu gods landed a 60-year-old headmaster of a government school in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district in jail after a right-wing office bearer complained that it hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.

Ratalal Sarovar, the headmaster of a government primary school in Bharari village, was taken into custody following accusations of administering a pledge that discouraged belief in Hindu gods and encouraged embracing Buddhism.

The incident occurred on January 22, coinciding with the consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol at the Ayodhya temple. Sarovar reportedly gathered a group of people, including children, in Mohtarai village under Ratanpur police station limits.

Allegedly, he administered a pledge urging individuals to refrain from worshipping Hindu deities such as Lord Shiva, Ram, and Krishna, advocating for adopting Buddhism instead.

The arrest followed a complaint filed by Rupesh Shukla, an office-bearer of a right-wing organization, who claimed that Sarovar’s actions had deeply offended the sentiments of followers of Sanatan Dharma. The incident gained attention after a video capturing Sarovar’s alleged act circulated widely on social media platforms.

Sarovar has been booked under sections 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to promoting enmity between different religious groups and deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings, respectively. In light of the controversy, the district education officer has also taken action by suspending Sarovar from his position.

Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation into the matter is underway. The incident has sparked debates about religious tolerance and freedom of expression in the region, prompting varied reactions from different sections of society.