A Christmas celebration at a private school in Rajasthan's Nagaur district was violently disrupted on Thursday after a group of right-wing activists stormed the premises. The group accused the school of using the festivities as a cover for illegal religious conversions, leading to vandalism and chaos.
Activists Storm School Premises
The incident unfolded at St Xavier's School, which is privately owned and not run by a missionary trust. According to local police, the disruption began when three individuals entered the school. The trio, identifying themselves as members of the Bajrang Dal, included two young men and an elderly man. They strongly objected to the Christmas celebrations being held on campus.
School owner Shaitan Ram Changal provided a harrowing account to the media. He stated that the group not only threatened the children present but also engaged in a physical scuffle with the teachers. "When I arrived at the scene, they began to assault me as well," Changal recounted. His testimony highlights the aggressive nature of the intrusion.
Vandalism and Chaos Ensue
The situation escalated quickly as more people joined the initial three activists. Before fleeing the scene, the group went on a rampage, causing significant damage to the school property. They tore down Christmas decorations, including balloons, and overturned tables and stools, creating an atmosphere of fear and disorder.
Alerted by the staff, a police team from the Kotwali police station arrived promptly. The school staff had managed to restrain the three primary accused inside the building, while the others involved escaped. The police team took the three men into custody and transported them to the station for detailed questioning.
Police Investigation Underway
Station House Officer (SHO) of Kotwali, Vedpal Shivran, confirmed the incident and the detention of the three accused. However, he noted a key detail: the school administration had not yet filed a formal written complaint at the time of the initial reports. SHO Shivran also denied that any injuries occurred during the altercation, contradicting the school owner's claims of assault.
"The school has not yet submitted any written complaint. However, investigation into the incident is underway," stated SHO Shivran. This incident in Nagaur has raised serious concerns about the safety of educational institutions and the freedom to celebrate cultural events, sparking a debate on communal harmony and law and order.
