The state education department has suspended operations at the Tehatta High School in Uluberia amid rising tension after a group of students were denied permission to observe "Nabi Diwas" on the school premises to mark the birth of Prophet Mohammad last month. An order issued by the District Inspector of Schools (Secondary Education) in Howrah states that classes had been suspended due to an "ongoing administrative problem". According to the school staff, the situation escalated this week with Saraswati Puja celebrations scheduled for February 1 at the school.

The school administration claims that a section of students influenced by "outsiders" wanted to forcibly conduct "Nabi Diwas" inside its premises on December 13 without any permission. The incident reportedly triggered unrest in the locality with allegations of vandalism of school property.

Threatened by the aggression of a section of students, the school administration shot off two letters to the district police seeking help, first on December 16 and then on January 27.

"With due respect I am informing you that on 13th December 2016 some students of class IX, X and outsiders influenced by some local Islamic fundamental groups forcefully entered the school campus causing communal tension celebrated Biswanabi Dibas without taking permission from the school authority and disturbed school atmosphere. As a result of this communal tension all the teachers and non teaching staff of the school feel insecure to attend school in the local communally tensed area. So, we are compelled to suspend the school for indefinite period," a letter by the school's teacher-in-charge to the police alleged.

Subsequently, a meeting was called by the district administration at the SDO office on December 20 where apart from the police and school administration, influential Muslim cleric Kasem Siddiqui from Furufura Sharif was also present. At the meeting, it was decided that a section of students would be allowed to observe "Nabi Diwas" for fifteen minutes and that the date would be decided by the school governing body. However, eventually permission was denied as the state education department had instructed the school administration against it.

Speaking to India Today, school headmaster Utpal Mallick said those students wanting to hold the programme defied the government instruction with the help of outsiders and forcibly set up a stage inside the school premises for the event. He says, they even questioned why the school administration would allow Saraswati Puja while denying permission for Nabi Diwas. Unable to bear the mental pressure, Mallick resigned from his post stating that the relation between teachers and students had been vitiated.