Bharat Mata slogan row: Ballia DM visits college

VARANASI: After receiving the investigation reports from the district inspector of schools, the Ballia district magistrate Bhawani Singh Khangaraot on Tuesday himself visited Gandhi Mohammad Ali Memorial Inter College in Belthara Road area of the district to take firsthand account of Bharat Mata slogan row.
The college has been in the news for couple of days after the members of social organization Manas Mandir on October 5 alleged that the students of this college are punished for chanting Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Mataram.Taking note of the media report the DM asked the DIoS Narendra Dev to look into the matter and submit report. Later, four students, who had given their statement in media in this regard, were allegedly attacked by a group on Monday.

“I along with the SP visited the school and talked to the principal, teachers and students separately. No evidence of such incident was found. The DIoS’ report too said the same,” said the DM while talking to reporters. “It came to light such an incident had come to media five years back, when a class 7 student, who is now in class 12, had reportedly made allegation,” said the DM adding that any attempt to disturb the social harmony would be dealt with severely.
He said that the college authorities have been asked to display it in writing that there is no restriction on chanting Bharat Mata ki Jai or Vande Mataram. He said that the principal already clarified that there was no such restriction in the college and no student was punished. “But, even then if some students have some complaint, they can contact the SDM to put their grievance,” the DM said adding that the officials would visit the house of students to take their statements. In the matter of attack on students FIR has been lodged and investigation is being done by the CO level officer.