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School teacher recited poem critical of Kanwar Yatra, booked: UP Police

An FIR has been registered against Gangwar at the Baheri police station on a complaint lodged by Kanwar Seva Samiti, said police.

School teacher recited poem critical of Kanwar Yatra, booked: Police

Kanwariyas carry Ganga water in Agra on Monday. (PTI)

Police have booked a government school teacher in Bareilly, saying he recited a poem “critical of the Kanwar Yatra” during the morning assembly in school.

According to police, Rajneesh Gangwar’s recital of a poem prompted protests from local residents who demanded action against him.

An FIR has been registered against Gangwar at the Baheri police station on a complaint lodged by Kanwar Seva Samiti, said police.

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Baheri SHO Sanjay Tomar said Gangwar has been booked under BNS section 353 (statements conducing to public mischief), adding no one has been arrested and the investigation is on.

According to police, a video went viral on social media on Monday showing a person reciting a poem with the message, “Don’t embark on the Kanwar Yatra, light the lamp of knowledge instead.”

“Preliminary inquiry revealed that the video featured a government school teacher reciting the poem during a school assembly in front of students,” a police officer said.

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