Schools in Chamarajanagar have been banned from taking students to religious, community and public events

Chamarajanagar Deputy Commissioner Shreeroopa has directed all government, aided and unaided schools in the district not to admit or send students for religious rituals, fairs, festivals, community programs or other public and private events organized outside the school, including food or for any other purpose.

The circular follows an alleged incident at Kebbehura village in Chamarajanagar taluk where government school students were taken to a Bandi Utsava organized in the village for lunch. The event had arrangements for serving food to the villagers.

A release issued by the Chamarajanagar district administration said village officials and members of the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) have requested the school principal to send all students for lunch at the venue. The school principal then took the pupils to the event. “It was claimed that 18 students from the Dalit community were denied food. The incident was subsequently reported in the media,” the note added.

The Deputy Commissioner said that preventive measures are necessary to prevent recurrence of such incidents and to ensure the safety, equality and dignity of students and maintain a conducive educational environment without any discrimination on the basis of caste, religion or community.

According to the circular, the government is already implementing the Mid Day Meal program in government schools and that it is the responsibility of the school principals to ensure that students get hot and hygienic meals under the program.

Accordingly, all officials of Governments, aided and unaided schools in Chamarajanagar district are strictly prohibited from taking or sending students to religious rituals, fairs, festivals, community programs or any other public or private functions for food or for any other purpose.

However, if it is unavoidable to take students off campus as part of any special government or educational program, prior permission must be obtained from the appropriate department. All prescribed safety measures and government regulations must also be strictly followed.

The Deputy Commissioner warned that any violation, omission or negligence in the implementation of the order would make the concerned officials and school principals directly responsible and action would be taken against them in accordance with the rules.

Published – 23 Sep 2026 20:55 IST