Probe Begins After Asaram-Linked Books Reach Balrampur Students

An inquiry has been launched in Balrampur district of Chhattisgarh after religious booklets linked to Asaram Bapu were allegedly given to students at a government school. The school principal has since been removed from his post.

The incident reportedly occurred on October 26 at the Swami Atmanand Government English Medium School of Excellence in Raghunathpur village, where middle school pupils received the material.

District Education Officer Narendra Nirapure told reporters that the block education officer had been assigned to examine the case and submit findings. The preliminary review led to the removal of principal Mahesh Prajapati, who has been attached to the district education office pending further investigation.

Parents said they only became aware of the booklets when their children brought them home. Unhappy with the development, they approached the education department with a formal complaint.

A parent of one of the students alleged that Asaram's followers came to the school while the principal was present and distributed booklets such as Sanskar Sarita, Vrat Niyam and Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam.

Citizens have criticised the move, arguing that such content either promotes Asaram Bapu or offers details about his followers. Since he is jailed on serious criminal charges and his ashrams have been seized by the government, they maintain that no material connected to him should be shared with children. They have demanded strict disciplinary action against the principal.

The education department is currently verifying the facts. The probe aims to determine who authorised the distribution, how outsiders entered the school premises, and what responsibility the principal bore.