Rayagada: A teacher allegedly went to school in an inebriated condition and vandalised the idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Saraswati on the campus in Odisha’s Rayagada district, triggering widespread outrage and condemnation.
The incident reportedly took place inside the Government Higher Secondary School operated by the Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste Development Department at Ambadala in Muniguda block. The shocking incident came to light after a video of the teacher’s act went viral on social media.
The teacher, identified as K Krishna Raju was seen roaming around the school campus on Wednesday evening in an inebriated condition. Students and other teachers reportedly avoided confronting him. However, started vandalising the idols inside the school campus. Finding no one else around, the drunk teacher began conversing with the idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Saraswati installed on the campus, asking them questions.
Sources said Krishna Raju allegedly questioned the idols about their educational qualifications. As he did not receive any response, he became violent and hit the idols with a stone, causing damage to the several parts of the structures.
It was further claimed that students were earlier physically abused by the same teacher for failing to answer questions in class.
It is further alleged that the headmaster of the school had recorded videos of students purportedly consuming intoxicants and shared them on social media, following which police and departmental inquiries were initiated.
Notably, the Rayagada District Collector had recently visited the school and expressed displeasure over the unhygienic conditions of the kitchen.
The latest incident has once again raised serious questions about discipline, safety, and accountability in the SC/ST-run educational institution apart from hurting religious sentiments among the local community as well as parents.
