Students Reciting 'Bhil Pradesh' Prayer Goes Viral in Rajasthan School, Principal and 2 Teachers Face Administrative Action

Udaipur- In the wake of growing demands for recognition of Bhil Pradesh following electoral victories by the Bharat Adivasi Party in recent general and by-elections, a video has sparked controversy from Government Higher Secondary School Dolwar Upli in Dungarpur district.

The footage shows students participating in a prayer assembly invoking Bhil Pradesh, a gesture that has ignited a heated debate. The incident is said to be of July 9.

"Gale haar tulsi ki mala, boli hai Raskhan ki. Na teri hai na meri hai, ye dharti Bhil Pradesh ki." These lines were recited by the students and heard in the viral video.

Upon the video's viral circulation, an immediate administrative inquiry was launched to verify the incident. A team dispatched to the school confirmed the authenticity of the video, prompting authorities to take swift action.

Show-cause notices were issued to the principal, Hariprakash Parmar, along with two teachers, Jagdish Roth and Jivaraj Damor.

The prayer assembly, centered on Bhil Pradesh, has drawn significant attention, leading Tribal Regional Development Minister to intervene, ordering a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

Minister in charge of Tribal Affairs, Babulal Kharadi, expressed disapproval over the incident, labelling the invocation of Bhil Pradesh during school prayers as inappropriate.

In response to directives from the Collector, CDEO Ranchhod Lal Damor initiated a committee to thoroughly probe the incident and its implications. Damor emphasized that clear government guidelines govern activities within public schools, underscoring the need for adherence to these regulations.

He stated that there are guidelines regarding prayers in government schools. According to these guidelines, only prayers related to Saraswati Vandana and patriotism can be conducted.

Subsequent to the investigation's findings confirming the prayer assembly's content, Principal Hariprakash Parmar, PTI Jagdish Rot and Senior Teacher Jivaraj Damor were removed (APO) from the school. Principal Parmar was reassigned to the Udaipur Director's Office, while both teachers were reassigned duties within the educational framework.

Supporters of the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) have voiced strong objections to the government's actions against the teachers. BAP spokesperson Dr. Jitendra Meena questioned the government's stance, stating, "Has the government already prescribed any specific prayer? Are there any rules regarding prayers?"

Dr. Meena further criticized the APO of the teachers by the government, calling it "an act of political revenge."

In a significant move, a massive cultural rally has been called at Mangarh Dham in Banswara on July 18. Adivasi Pariwar and heads of various tribal organizations from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra will congregate to pass a resolution demanding a separate Bhil Pradesh.