Education officials conduct a detailed investigation and will submit a report to the collector
NEW DELHI – Students at a government primary school in Madhya Pradesh allegedly sang objectionable lyrics, including offensive references to Mahatma Gandhi, during a Republic Day cultural programme.
The incident occurred at Jamunpani Government Primary School in Tendukheda. According to reports, students parodied the lyrics of at least five songs, none of which reflected the spirit of the Republic Day. A video of the performance later surfaced on social media, triggering widespread outrage.
Senior officials from the district administration and the education department expressed shock and anger after the video went viral.
According to an NDTV report, school principal Dinesh Thakur said the students had neither rehearsed nor been prepared for the performance. Claiming he was not present during the rendition, Thakur said he had briefly stepped out to another classroom to discipline other students. He added that the song was performed at his request only to “entertain villagers” and claimed ignorance about how such lyrics were used. The school has 45 students and only two teachers, he said.
Taking immediate cognisance of the matter, District Collector Rajni Singh ordered a probe. Early the next morning, the Education Department constituted an inquiry team to conduct a detailed investigation.
The team, comprising Tendukheda Tehsildar Nirmal Patle, Block Education Officer Pancham Singh Maravi and other education officials, visited the school and began recording statements. A report is being prepared and will be submitted to the Collector, who will decide the course of action.
Officials involved in the inquiry confirmed that the lyrics referring to Mahatma Gandhi were inappropriate and highly objectionable, though they said the investigation is still underway.
