A complaint has been submitted to the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and the School Education Department after students of a private school in Sridhargadde village were reportedly made to stand in front of a dead body and sing the national anthem.
Sannakki Kamakshamma passed away in the village on January 28. Following her death, students from a private English medium primary school in the village were brought to the spot, lined up, and made to sing the national anthem. Some villagers objected to the act and later submitted a complaint along with a video to the district administration on February 16.
According to guidelines issued by the Union Home Ministry regarding the national anthem, the order specifies the occasions when the anthem may be played or sung. However, it does not mention singing the anthem in front of the body of a private individual. Complainants have therefore alleged that making students sing the anthem in such a situation amounts to disrespect.
In a 1986 judgment, the Supreme Court had stated that students cannot be compelled to sing the national anthem against their conscience or beliefs, as doing so would violate their fundamental rights.
Responding to the issue, the head of the school said it was a mistake and expressed willingness to apologise, adding that officials from the Education Department had already visited the school and issued a warning, assuring that such an incident would not occur again.
Officials from the department said field officers have visited the spot and collected a report, and further action will be taken based on their findings.