Inciting Disharmony in Educational institutions in Western Maharashtra
Since June 2023, alarming incidents have occurred in the educational sector in the districts of Kolhapur-Sangli-Satara, which are under the jurisdiction of Shivaji University. A planned program is being implemented in various educational institutions, targeting teachers by deliberately inciting students on religious grounds, putting pressure on the management of educational institutions and disrupting the harmonious educational environment. These are important institutions in this area, particularly because boys and girls of the Bahujan community are able to avail of higher education. Unfortunately, they are being targeted and are being pressured to take stands against the Constitution of India.
In the wake of the sectarian violence that took place in Kolhapur in June, 2023, women of all castes and faiths have come together in an innovative platform in Kolhapur called Women Protest For Peace (WPFP) or Shanti Sathi Stree Sangharsh to support each other in times of crisis and also to raise societal awareness about women’s issues, particularly that of women’s safety. Through this forum, women are trying express anger and distress by holding silent protests to demand peace and justice against hatred and injustice. Since June 2023, many women working in the education sector have had to submit to pressure politics of religious organizations in Kolhapur district. Against this backdrop, a Fact Finding Committee (FFC) was formed on behalf of WPFP in order to gather information about cases that occurred recently and draw conclusions from the evidence.
The PDF available here is the submission of the Committee to the Kolhapur Collector.
Related Issue
Communal Harmony, Religious Minorities, Hate Politics, Education
Tags
Maharashtra, Saffron Scarves, Hijab, Muslims, Teachers targetted, Educational institutions