Bhavnagar: A school in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, has come under scrutiny and public backlash after an Independence Day play staged by its girl students depicted terrorists wearing burqas attacking classmates draped in the Indian tricolour. The dramatic representation, reportedly inspired by events in Kashmir such as the Pahalgam attack and “Operation Sindoor,” quickly went viral on social media, igniting widespread condemnation over its communal overtones.
The school principal clarified that while students assigned terrorist roles were instructed to wear black attire, some chose to wear burqas without any directive from the administration. He emphasized that the intention was to instill patriotism and appreciation for the armed forces, not to target any religious community.
Nonetheless, parents and local organizations voiced strong concerns, arguing that the portrayal risked reinforcing harmful stereotypes about Muslim women and could foster communal discord. As a response, the Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation’s Primary Education Committee has launched an official inquiry and is evaluating whether disciplinary measures are warranted against the principal and involved faculty members.
This incident highlights the sensitive balance educators must maintain when designing cultural programs. Experts suggest that while inspiring patriotism is commendable, the depiction of politically or communally charged symbols in school performances must be handled with nuance, especially in a pluralistic society where educational messaging has the power to influence social cohesion.
