Aligarh: The Hindu Jagran Manch has sent letters to the management of all schools in Aligarh, warning them against celebrating Christmas, and threatened it would be “at their own risk” if they still go ahead with the planned functions.

The warning has set alarm bells ringing in all educational institutions in the city, especially at Christian schools.

“The circular would reach all schools very shortly and we will decide a course of action on receiving their response," Sonu Savita, city president of the Hindu outfit, said.

Expressing concern over this, Praveen Agarwal, president of the Public School Development Society, said: "Each year we celebrate festivals belonging to all communities and this experience helps our children to play a responsible role as citizens of this country."

Similar sentiments were echoed by Anurag Gupta, Convener of the Parents Association, who said: "Our schools have been playing an important role in helping students acquire knowledge of different religions and this helps them when they move out to different countries all over the globe."

Senior superintendent of police Rajesh Pandey, however, made it clear that the district authorities would not allow anyone to force any school not to observe or celebrate Christmas.

Pandey said he had assured all schools that full security would be provided to them on Christmas and no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.