In an unsettling incident in Ramgarh, Jharkhand, girls returning home from RB High School in Sandi, Chitarpur, were allegedly surrounded by a group of Muslim youths. According to reports, the girls were coerced into chanting ‘Islam Zindabad’, and when they refused, the youths reportedly attacked them with sticks, resulting in injuries to approximately 24 individuals, including female students and boys who came to their aid. The incident occurred on November 24th.

The accused individuals, identified as Mohammed Farhan, Mohammed Rehan, Mohammed Javed, Mohammed Danish, Mohammed Arshad, Mohammed Zishan, Mohammed Abuzar, Mohammed Sahil, and others whose identities remain unknown, have had a complaint filed against them at the Rajrappa police station.

The assault took place within the premises of RB High School, Sandi, where the accused reportedly entered and molested female students. When the girls and other boys resisted, they were allegedly subjected to brutal beatings. The report suggests that similar incidents of molestation occurred on the preceding Thursday, leading to tensions between the attackers and the students.

The victims, along with those who came to their rescue, lodged a complaint at the police station, demanding action against the culprits. District Superintendent of Police, Piyush Pandey, confirmed that the case is under examination, and further details will emerge after a thorough investigation.

According to the students, the attackers not only molested them but also forced them to chant ‘Islam Zindabad’ under threat of preventing anyone from attending the school if they refused.

The police have initiated a search for the accused individuals, while the injured students received treatment at the Ramgadh Civil Hospital. School principal Manoj Mitra could not be reached as his mobile phone was found switched off.

Students being treated at the hospital informed the media that incidents of molestation by local Muslim youths were a recurrent problem at the school. The situation escalated on Friday, leading to a violent confrontation between the Muslim community and other students, as the latter sought to protect their peers.

Jharkhand state BJP president Babulal Marandi condemned the incident on social media, questioning the safety of schoolgirls and urging the government to clarify its stance. He expressed concerns about the potential role of religion in the incident and called for accountability in creating a secure environment for students in the state.