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People staged protests demanding justice for a postgraduate trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. (Image source: PTI)
Three state-aided schools in Howrah district – Baluhati High School, Baluhati Girls' High School and Bantra Rajlakshmi Girls School – were served show-cause notices on Friday and were asked to give explanations within 24 hours
Three educational institutions in West Bengal have received protest notices from the school education department after students took part in rallies during school hours to protest against the murder and rape of a 31-year-old PG trainee doctor at RG Kar MCH.
Three state-aided schools in Howrah district – Baluhati High School, Baluhati Girls' High School and Bantra Rajlakshmi Girls School – were served show-cause notices on Friday and were asked to give explanations within 24 hours.
School education department officials said several teachers and non-teaching staff along with students participated in a joint assembly held at the school on Thursday “violating all rules and regulations”. If the response from the school authorities is not satisfactory, strict action will be taken.
“Students cannot attend such assemblies, especially on weekdays when classes are in session. We understand that some teachers and other staff members of the school took students to the assemblies,” he said.
After issuing a show-cause notice, the Paschim Medinipur district school education department issued a directive prohibiting school students from participating in any activities not related to the school or department.
A notice issued by regional school inspector Paschim Medinipur said “school students are not allowed to participate in any political activities”.
A class 10 student who participated in the protest said, “We want to be allowed to protest. We also want to participate in the protest by condemning the events in Kolkata. We will march peacefully in school uniforms. If we don't get permission, we will not go go to school.
The official said the measures were necessitated by reports that senior students were attending political rallies and there was a lockdown across the state demanding justice for the woman doctor.
Since the rape and murder of a female doctor about two weeks ago, various parts of the state have been rocked by protest rallies held by citizens, civil society organisations, youth, students and women's groups and political parties, demanding the arrest of all perpetrators of the crime.
(and PTI enter)