Shimla school withdraws pre-Eid celebration directive after threat from right-wing group

Private school in Himachal Pradesh withdraws pre-Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations after sparking controversy with local right-wing group.

A private school in the Himachal Pradesh capital on Monday (March 24, 2025) withdrew its decision to hold pre-Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations after it sparked a row.

The school was forced to roll back its decision after a local right-wing organisation, Dev Bhoomi Sangarsh Samiti, warned to hold protest outside the educational institution. Some religious outfits and commoners also expressed their concern over the matter on social media.

The private English-medium school issued the directions to the students for March 28, the last Friday before the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.

They said, "The planned Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations for classes nursery to two was a part of their efforts to help young students appreciate India's cultural diversity -- just as we celebrate Holi, Diwali and Christmas." "It was intended purely as a cultural learning experience, with no religious rituals and enforcement and participation was entirely voluntary," a communique to the parents said

However, the decision did not go well with the Dev Bhoomi Sangarsh Samiti which warned to "gherao" the school and take legal action against it if the decision was not withdrawn.

Members of the Samiti threatened to launch an agitation if the decision was not taken back.

The school authorities withdrew its decision and said "safety and well-being of our children is our highest priority".