Gujarat school faces inquiry after August 15 play depicts burqa-clad students as 'terrorists'

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An official inquiry has been launched in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar after a school play staged during Independence Day celebrations was accused of depicting burqa-clad women as terrorists, sparking allegations of deliberately targeting the Muslim community.

The controversy centres on a cultural programme held on August 15 at the all-girls Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Pratmik Shala Number 51, a municipal corporation school in the Kumbharwada area. According to a report by The Indian Express, the Bhavnagar District Education Officer (DEO), Hitendrasinh D Padheriya, issued a notice to the municipal school board on Tuesday, demanding a factual report on the incident within seven days.

The notice was prompted by a formal representation from a social organisation, the Bandharan Bachav Samiti Bhavnagar. The group alleged that the play “depicted the Muslim community as terrorists” and called for stern action against the teaching staff responsible. The DEO’s notice, addressed to Administrative Officer Munjal Badmaliya, seeks specific details about the programme and asks whether the contentious depiction was intentional or unintentional.

“The representation, marked to the District Collector, Municipal Commissioner and DEO on Monday, stated that there was a deliberate depiction of muslims as terrorists during the cultural programme held at the school on August 15. To find out facts and details, I have sought an explanation from the Administrative Officer within seven days,” DEO Padheriya confirmed, as quoted by The Indian Express.

The school, which has an enrollment of over 600 students, found itself in the spotlight after videos of the performance began circulating on social media. In its complaint, the Samiti alleged the play showed “girls dressed in Muslim attire (burqa) were shown as terrorists, clearly depicting the Muslim community as terrorists.” It further accused the school staff of “an attempt to hurt religious sentiments and spread unrest in the public.”

Speaking to The Indian Express, the president of the Samiti, Jehurbhai Hussainbhai Jeja, stated, “The Muslim community demands that all those school staff behind this act should be suspended and strict legal action should be taken so that no such unconstitutional act is committed in the future.”

In response, Administrative Officer Munjal Badmaliya defended the programme, stating that the annual celebrations were this year themed on ‘Operation Sindoor’, a government initiative where students send rakhis and letters to soldiers. He denied any malicious intent. “The cultural programmes are held every year on January 26 and August 15. This year it was themed on Operation Sindoor and the bravery of our defence forces, and programmes were held in every school. Nothing was intentional or deliberate. We will submit our response to the notice,” Badmaliya said, as per The Indian Express report.

The municipal school system in Bhavnagar is substantial, with over 30,000 students enrolled across 68 schools. The district-wide ‘Operation Sindoor’ initiative saw participation from over 200,000 students who wrote to soldiers from Gujarat. The inquiry will now determine the context and intent behind the controversial portrayal that has marred the patriotic celebrations.