A shocking incident in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district has sparked outrage after a student at a private school presented a controversial project at a science fair. The exhibit, featuring two dolls, one dressed in a burqa and another in a short dress, made religious statements that have triggered widespread criticism. The incident raises serious concerns about the kind of messages being imparted in educational institutions and whether private schools are becoming a breeding ground for regressive ideologies.
Viral Video and Public Reaction
A video of the exhibit, which went viral on social media, shows the student explaining that wearing short clothes leads to hell, while wearing a burqa ensures a place in heaven. The presentation included two coffins, one adorned with flowers containing a burqa-clad doll and another filled with snakes and scorpions holding the doll in a short dress. The student went on to claim, “If you wear a burqa, nothing happens to the body after death. But if you wear short clothes, you will go to hell, and snakes and scorpions will eat your body.”
📍Chamrajnagar, Karnataka
While presenting science exhibition,
a 4th standard girl of HUDA Public School literally presented these obsolete Islamist idea.Earlier, Muslim female students of Karnataka were ready to quit education for Burqa 🧕.
— Shashank Shekhar Jha (@shashank_ssj) March 24, 2025
Further exacerbating the issue, the student referenced Islamic scripture, stating that a man who allows his wife to step out without a burqa is considered a “dayyus” (a derogatory term). These remarks have drawn sharp criticism from the public, with many questioning how such statements were made in an academic setting. Social media users have called for action against the school authorities and those responsible for allowing such a presentation to take place at a science fair.
The Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) of Chamarajanagar, Rajendra Raje Urs, has confirmed that officials are investigating the matter. He stated, “We need to understand the context first. Once that is clear, I will provide full clarity today itself.” Meanwhile, the district magistrate has also assured that a probe is underway to determine if any action needs to be taken.
Several social media users have tagged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, and the Director General of Police, demanding immediate intervention. Many have raised concerns about the role of educational institutions in shaping students’ perspectives and whether such biased messaging is being encouraged in private schools.
This incident is a glaring example of how private schools, which are supposed to provide quality education, are instead promoting regressive and religiously divisive ideologies. The core objective of education should be to foster critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and social harmony, not to impose religious doctrines and discrimination. Schools must be places of learning, not platforms for indoctrination.
This is not the first time Karnataka has witnessed such controversies. Previously, debates over the hijab ban in schools and colleges ignited nationwide discussions on religious expression in academic spaces. In another instance, West Bengal’s Jadavpur University revoked permission for Ram Navami celebrations following student protests, yet allowed Iftar celebrations, raising questions about selective secularism. These incidents underline a broader issue of religious influences infiltrating educational institutions, which should ideally remain neutral spaces.
The Karnataka government has faced scrutiny over its handling of religious and educational matters. The decision to scrap the 4% Muslim quota before the assembly elections led to legal challenges, with the Supreme Court questioning the government’s rationale. The state has been a hotbed for religious tensions, and this latest incident only adds fuel to the fire.
Educational institutions must be held accountable for the kind of messages they allow within their premises. Private schools, in particular, must ensure that their students are not exposed to radical or discriminatory ideologies disguised as ‘education.’ Instead of propagating religious dogma, schools should focus on providing knowledge that helps students grow into rational, well-informed citizens.
The incident at the Chamarajanagar science fair is a wake-up call for educational authorities. It is imperative that strict guidelines be implemented to prevent the promotion of religious bias in schools. The Karnataka government must take swift action against the school in question and set a precedent that such propaganda will not be tolerated. Schools should be centers of knowledge and enlightenment, not platforms for spreading divisive ideologies. If left unchecked, such incidents will continue to threaten the secular fabric of our education system. The outcome of the ongoing probe will determine whether justice prevails or whether private schools will continue to operate without accountability.
ALSO READ: “Karnataka Cabinet Approves 4% Reservation For Muslim Contractors”
Comments