Chhattisgarh principal suspended over distribution of Asaram-linked materials

The principal of Swami Atmanand Government English Medium School of Excellence in Raghunathpur village was suspended after booklets linked to Asaram Bapu were handed to students on October 26. The distribution of the materials at the government-run institution, which falls under the state's premium school network, sparked immediate concern among parents and education officials. The incident raised questions about the approval processes governing educational materials distributed within Chhattisgarh's schools. State education authorities launched an investigation into how the booklets entered the school's curriculum and who authorised their distribution to the middle school cohort. The suspension reflects the government's commitment to ensuring age-appropriate and carefully vetted educational content reaches students, according to official statements. Asaram Bapu, the spiritual leader whose materials were circulated, has been serving a life sentence following his conviction in a sexual assault case. The state government has indicated that a comprehensive review of educational materials used across government schools will be undertaken to prevent similar incidents in future.