Tension has surfaced in Dharmanagar town of North Tripura following a dispute over the celebration of Saraswati Puja at Holy Cross Convent School, located at Sakaibari. The issue has triggered concern among local residents and Hindu organisations after allegations that the school authorities did not allow the observance of the festival within the school premises.
According to the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), its North District Committee has been requesting permission for several years to organise Saraswati Puja at the school. The organisation claimed that despite repeated appeals, no written approval has been granted by the school management so far.
Leaders of the VHP stated that nearly 95 per cent of the students studying at the school belong to the Hindu Bengali community. They argued that allowing Saraswati Puja would give students an opportunity to take part in an important cultural and religious occasion. The organisation maintained that their demand is not intended to create any religious conflict but to respect the faith, traditions and beliefs of the majority of students.
On the other hand, the school authorities have reportedly maintained that as a matter of policy, no religious functions are permitted within the campus. They cited institutional rules and internal guidelines as the reason for not allowing any religious celebrations on school premises. A meeting was held on January 16 to find a solution, but it ended without any clear decision.
The situation escalated on Wednesday when members of the VHP North District Committee visited the school to submit a formal letter seeking written clarification and permission to conduct Saraswati Puja. The organisation alleged that the school authorities refused to accept or acknowledge the letter. This led to a heated verbal exchange between VHP members and a female teacher inside the campus.
Following the incident, personnel from Dharmanagar Police Station reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Police intervention prevented the matter from worsening, and no physical altercation or damage was reported. However, the incident added to the growing unease in the Dharmanagar area.
In an attempt to calm the situation and resolve the issue through dialogue, a meeting involving parents and teachers has been scheduled for Thursday, January 22. Sources said the question of allowing Saraswati Puja will be discussed in detail during the meeting. The VHP has expressed hope that the talks will lead to a peaceful and acceptable solution for all concerned.
The organisation has also pointed out that Saraswati Puja falls on a school holiday. According to VHP North District Committee Secretary Pratap Ranjan Deb, while the school authorities have verbally suggested that the puja could be held on Thursday, the organisation insists that it should be observed on January 23, Basant Panchami. Basant Panchami holds special religious importance for Hindus and is traditionally associated with the worship of Goddess Saraswati.
