MP School closed because of religious event, minister denies

Bhopal: As part of a Bhagavad Katha event organized by Madhya Pradesh Minister of State Suresh Dhakad Rathkheda's support to mark a temple's renovation, a government primary school has been converted into a kitchen and an Aganwari center into an air-conditioned resting place in Rathkheda village of Shivpuri district.

School students claim that classes have been suspended for a week due to the religious event being held on the school premises. However Minister Rathkheda denies this claim.

In addition to catering for devotees, the school facilities were used to store food and mineral water bottles, and some of the classrooms were used as resting places for women preparing food.

Since the neighbouring temples began showing the Bhagavad Katha on April 3, the school has been disrupted.

Laali and Sangam, two Class 4 girls, alleged that classes have not been held since this tent was erected. Food will be cooked in the tent just outside the school building.

Likewise, an Anganwadi center were allegedly transformed into temporary lodging for a religious leader, with air conditioners installed temporarily to provide comfort for the stay.

In contrast, BJP state minister Suresh Dhakad Rathkheda denies that classes have been disrupted. When asked, he said, "Who says the school is closed, it's open. The place where the Bhagavad Katha is going on isn't close to the school, so how can the functioning of the school be affected by the Katha."

BJP MLA Suresh Yadav Rathkheda, a Scindia loyalist and MP Minister of State, hails from Rathkheda village.