Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Kolkata School Suspends Teacher After Student’s Tilak Allegation
A student said a teacher wiped the sandalwood mark from his forehead before he entered school.
This mark is called a tilak and can have religious meaning.
The student’s claim appeared in a video on social media.
The video spread widely and caused a debate about religious freedom in schools.
The allegation reached Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Officials looked into the matter, and the school suspended the teacher.
Police also registered an FIR against her.
The chief minister said government workers must follow conduct rules.
He also announced a separate suspension over alleged remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A private missionary school in Kolkata suspended a teacher accused of repeatedly removing a student’s sandalwood tilak.
The student described the allegation in a video that surfaced and later went viral on social media.
An FIR was registered against the teacher after the allegation came to the chief minister’s notice.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said he saw the alleged act in the video and called for action.
Adhikari separately announced the suspension of an education department employee over alleged objectionable remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Who
- A student, a teacher at a private missionary school, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, and education department officials.
- What
- A teacher was suspended after a student alleged that she repeatedly removed his sandalwood tilak; an FIR was also registered.
- When
- The report was dated September 4; the incident became known after a social-media video surfaced.
- Where
- A private missionary school in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- Why
- The allegation reached the chief minister, after which the administration reviewed the matter and initiated action.
- School type
- Private missionary school
- Location
- Kolkata, West Bengal
- Allegation
- A teacher allegedly removed a student’s sandalwood tilak before he entered school.
- School action
- The teacher was suspended.
- Legal action
- An FIR was registered against the teacher.
- Public trigger
- A video containing the student’s allegation surfaced and went viral on social media.
- Separate action
- An education department employee was suspended over alleged objectionable remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
