Uttarakhand BJP MLA supporters clash with education director over school renaming

A scuffle broke out at the Directorate of Elementary Education in Dehradun on Saturday after a dispute over the renaming of a primary school allegedly turned violent, leaving Director Ajay Kumar Naudiyal injured. The incident prompted a police case being registered against Umesh Sharma, popularly known as 'Kau'.

The incident has since snowballed into a political controversy, with the BJP seeking an explanation from its legislator and the opposition demanding strict action.

Police confirmed that an altercation took place inside the director’s office and said a case has been registered against the MLA.

A purported video of the incident has surfaced on social media, drawing widespread public attention.

According to Naudiyal, the MLA had visited his office to seek clarity on the renaming of a primary school.

He said he informed Sharma that the matter was pending at the government level and could not be decided immediately.

"When I explained the procedure, tempers flared. Items kept on my table were thrown at me. I suffered a head injury and my glasses were broken," news agency PTI quoted Sharma as saying.

The director further stated that the issue had been ongoing for several days.

Two days before the incident, some individuals had approached him regarding the same demand and were informed about the official process involved in changing a school’s name.

BJP MLA DENIES ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS

Sharma, however, denied allegations of assault. He claimed that the video circulating online shows him sitting and discussing the issue calmly.

The MLA said the family that donated land for the school wants it named after a relative, Padam Singh Rawat, and has been pursuing the request for seven to eight months.

He maintained that he had merely gone to the office to raise the matter on their behalf.

Following the confrontation, Naudiyal wrote to the local police chief, accusing the MLA of attempted murder and stating that his life was in danger.

CASE REGISTERED AGAINST MLA

He sought registration of a case under relevant sections of the law, after which police lodged an FIR against Sharma.

The opposition Congress sharply criticised the incident, alleging a breakdown of law and order in the state and internal discord within the ruling party.

State Congress president Ganesh Godiyal called for an impartial probe and demanded that an FIR be lodged against whoever is found guilty, “even if it is the MLA.”

BJP SEEKS EXPLANATION FROM PARTY MLA

The BJP, meanwhile, described the episode as unfortunate and asserted that it does not condone any form of violence.

State president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt said public representatives have the right to raise issues but cannot take the law into their own hands.

He added that the party would seek a detailed explanation from Sharma and support strict action if wrongdoing is established.

With board examinations approaching, the BJP also appealed to educators to maintain restraint and ensure that students’ interests are not affected as the investigation proceeds.

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