The Principal and two teachers of the Government Senior Secondary School in Dungarpur, were suspended after they made students recite the 'Bhil Pradesh' prayer during the school assembly on 9th July.

The incident came to light on Thursday, 18 July, after a video of the prayer recital surfaced on social media, prompting public attention and concern.

Tribal Area Development (TAD) Minister, Babu Lal Kharadi, ordered a thorough investigation into the matter. The Education department subsequently suspended (APO) the Principal and the two teachers involved, pending further orders.

Babu Lal Kharadi said, "While demanding a separate state for tribals like Bhil Pradesh is a constitutional right, making students recite a specific Bhil Pradesh prayer in school violates guidelines and strict action will be taken against those who invite such activities".

Chief Education Officer (CDEO) Ranchod Lal Damor clarified that government schools are mandated to recite specific prayers like Saraswati Vandana, and deviations from these guidelines are not permissible.

This incident highlights the sensitivity of cultural and constitutional issues surrounding education and statehood demands, and the government's role in maintaining compliance with established guidelines in educational institutions.

Hariprakash, the Principal of the school, has been temporarily transferred to the office of the Joint Director, while the two teachers, Jivaram and Jagdish, were reassigned to the Secondary Education Office at Dungarpur, pending further instructions.

Education Department initiated an investigation following orders from the District Collector of Dungarpur after the incident gained attention.

The incident occurred amidst ongoing demands from tribal communities to create a new state named 'Bhil Pradesh', which would encompass certain areas currently part of Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, Salumber, Udaipur, and Sirohi districts.