The Gujarat education department has ordered an inquiry after a Bhavnagar primary school staged an Independence Day play that showed burqa-clad girls as “terrorists,” sparking protests from the Muslim community.
The play was performed on August 15 at an all-girls primary school in the Kumbharwada area. A video that went viral showed girls dressed in white dancing to a song about Kashmir. Soon after, three girls wearing burqas and carrying toy guns entered the scene and pretended to “shoot” the others. A background audio described the Pahalgam attack, where terrorists had killed civilians.
Local Muslims, under the banner of Bandharan Bachao Samiti, complained to officials that the performance portrayed their community in a negative way. “This play shows our community in bad light. The teachers must face strict action,” said a member of the group.
Following the complaint, the District Education Officer issued a notice to the Bhavnagar Municipal School Board, asking for a detailed report within seven days.
Munjal Badmaliya, the administrative officer of the board, confirmed that a probe is underway. “The DEO has sought a factual report from us. We have appointed a coordinator to investigate. Our preliminary inquiry shows the school had no intention to hurt anyone’s sentiments,” he said.
The school principal reportedly told officials the play was based on Operation Sindoor, a military response to the Pahalgam attack. Badmaliya explained, “The girls playing the role of terrorists were asked to cover their faces with black cloth. Since they normally wear burqas, they found those more readily available. The intention was to show respect for the armed forces, not to insult any community.”
He added that the inquiry will cover all aspects and a full report will be submitted soon.
