Principal Suspended After Non-Vegetarian Party at Gujarat Government School Sparks Controversy

The Principal has been suspended and will undergo a departmental inquiry following the incident. (Representational)

Surat:

A significant controversy has erupted in Surat city, Gujarat, after a non-vegetarian party was held within the premises of a government school, resulting in the principal's suspension.

The controversy began after footage circulated on various social media platforms on Sunday, showing individuals consuming chicken and mutton dishes during a gathering inside Primary School No 342 located in the Godadara area of the city.

An official confirmed on Monday that the principal of the government-run institution has been suspended for allegedly organizing the non-vegetarian event on school grounds without obtaining proper authorization from the relevant authorities. The principal will also be subject to a departmental investigation.

Investigations revealed that the gathering took place on Sunday afternoon. A Telugu-language banner displayed at the school's main entrance indicated that the event was a reunion for former students who had attended the institution between 1987 and 1991.

As the video of the non-vegetarian feast spread across social media platforms generating significant public criticism, the Primary Education Committee (PEC) of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), which administers the school, promptly ordered an investigation on Sunday evening.

Based on the investigation's findings, the PEC issued an order on Monday for the suspension of school principal Prabhakar Eligatin, according to the official.

"This is certainly a condemnable action as non-vegetarian food was clearly being served to attendees at the gathering. No authorization was obtained from the appropriate authorities for hosting this event on school premises. We have suspended the school principal for damaging our reputation. A departmental inquiry will also be conducted against him," stated committee chairman Rajendra Kapadia.

In his defense, Eligatin claimed that the non-vegetarian items were brought to the school from external sources, and he was not present during the time when these items were served to the former students.

"This was a reunion of alumni, many of whom traveled here with their children from abroad. We had initially planned to hold the gathering at a farmhouse, but those arrangements were cancelled at the last minute," the suspended principal explained.

"It was subsequently decided to hold the reunion at the back of the school on Sunday. The non-vegetarian items were brought by the attendees from outside. I was not present at that time," Eligatin asserted.