A private school in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, has been sealed after a video purportedly showing Hindu girl students wearing burqas and dancing during an Independence Day programme surfaced on social media, officials said on Wednesday.
The school, located in Ausani Buzurg village in the Babhanjot area, was inspected by the Basic Education Department following the circulation of the video.
However, officials said the inspection found that the school was operating without government recognition.
School Was Asked to Stop Operations
District Basic Education Officer Amit Kumar Singh said he directed Block Education Officer (BEO) Riyaz Ahmed to inspect the institution after the video came to light.
According to Ahmed, the education department had already instructed the school management about a week earlier to stop operating. Despite the order, the school allegedly continued functioning.
During the inspection, officials confirmed that the institution was running without recognition.
The authorities subsequently locked the offices of the school manager and principal and sealed the main entrance, effectively shutting down the institution.
Ahmed said a report detailing the inspection and sealing action was submitted to the district basic education officer.
Students to Be Shifted to Recognised Schools
Officials said arrangements would be made for students enrolled at the school to continue their education elsewhere.
Amit Kumar Singh said authorities have directed that the students be admitted to nearby government-run or other recognised schools.
The action came after the video from the August 15 Independence Day celebrations triggered attention on social media.
The circumstances surrounding the performance, including why the students were allegedly dressed in burqas, have drawn public attention. However, officials’ stated basis for sealing the institution was that the school was operating without the required recognition.
Further details about the video and the circumstances of the event are expected to emerge as authorities examine the matter.
