Kamrup, Sept 25:  Protests erupted outside Carmel School in Andherijuli, Lower Assam’s Kamrup district on Tuesday, following allegations that two students from Manipur served beef to Hindu classmates during a tiffin break. The incident, which reportedly occurred on September 19, led to widespread outrage, with hundreds of protesters blocking the school’s main gate and disrupting the ongoing half-yearly examinations.

The controversy involves claims that two Class VIII students in the hostel offered beef to two Hindu students during tiffin hours. The situation worsened when a Hindu teacher reported the issue to the principal, who allegedly did not take action and instead suspended the teacher. This led to frustration among the community.

In response, 69 guardians filed a formal complaint with the Circle Officer of Palashbari Revenue Circle. When the guardians approached the principal to address the matter, their concerns were reportedly ignored, prompting a larger protest with over a hundred guardians and local residents demanding action.

The police, accompanied by a magistrate, arrived to handle the unrest and assured the protesters that appropriate measures would be taken. The principal later announced that the two Manipur students involved had been expelled from the hostel.

The school administration has not issued a formal public statement. A Christian missionary leader suggested that the school might not be directly responsible for the food served during tiffin hours. A Carmel School representative stated that students are regularly reminded to respect religious sentiments during morning assemblies. The missionary leader also disputed the claims made in the guardians’ complaint, denying that beef was served.

Carmel School, founded in 2011 and operated by the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel, is managed by the Carmel Nilaya Society.