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

The school, which has an enrollment of over 600 students, found itself in the spotlight after the event.

August 20, 2025 / 12:31 IST
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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.

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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.