Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Christ School Brochure Sparks Dress Code Controversy in Poonch
A school in Poonch, India, made a handbook that said kids could not wear religious marks like tilak or bindi.
A local religious group said this was unfair and hurt their faith.
The school principal said it was a mistake because the text was copied from another school.
The district education officer asked the principal to fix the mistake and take the handbook back.
People are now talking about how schools should treat religion and rules.
Sanatan Dharma Sabha accuses Christ School of banning religious symbols in its handbook.
School principal Fr. Sujith Mathew apologizes, citing a copy‑paste error from other state brochures.
The district education officer summons the principal and orders the brochure’s withdrawal.
Protesters demand an FIR and intervention from the district administration and education department.
The incident raises debate over school discipline versus religious freedom in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Who
- Sanatan Dharma Sabha members, school principal Fr. Sujith Mathew, Chief Education Officer Javed Iqbal Gulshan, and the Poonch community
- What
- Alleged ban on religious symbols in a school handbook, leading to controversy
- When
- Thursday (recently)
- Where
- Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Why
- The school claims a copy‑paste error; the religious group says it suppresses faith
- School
- Christ School, Degwar
- Accused policy
- Ban on tilak, bindi, mehndi, kalava
- Principal
- Fr. Sujith Mathew
- District
- Poonch
- State
- Jammu and Kashmir