Picture used for representational purpose

AHMEDABAD: An association of parents submitted a written complaint to education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama , alleging that a class V teacher forcibly removed rakhis from the wrists of students at Mount Carmel school in Gandhinagar .

“A class V teacher, Aditi, removed rakhis tied on wrists of some students by cutting them off. The teacher forcibly removed the rakhis despite requests, protests and insistence by students,” read the complaint signed by Prakash P of the Gandhinagar Vali Mandal.

“The teacher justified her action to the class teacher and students saying the principal had directed that rakhis be removed,” the letter alleged.

The parents association urged the education minister to take strict action against the teacher for the ‘heinous action’.

Mount Carmel principal Sr Jennifer said, “ We respect all religions and live in a country where freedom of religion is a fundamental right, so why would we educators disrespect what we teach students. The male educators had come to school with rakhis tied on their hands, so even students have that freedom.” She added, “I came to know through the media that this has happened in the school. The parents should have approached the school management and complained, instead of making an issue. They should have approached higher authorities if we failed to resolve their complaint.”

State education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said, “No one has made any representation to me in person. I was in a meeting with Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya. And if someone did give a letter at my office I am not aware of it.”

