Schools in Nuh district of Haryana closed today: Here's why
The move, aimed at averting a repeat of last year's communal violence, has brought academic activity in the region to a sudden halt.
The district administration cited "student safety and administrative convenience" as the rationale behind the blanket closure of schools. Both government and private institutions were directed to remain closed for the day, with the District Education Officer tasked with strict enforcement of the order.
Education disrupted as authorities prioritise security
The sudden directive has disrupted internal assessments, cancelled scheduled examinations, and thrown timetables into chaos. Several schools had mid-term tests planned this week, which now stand deferred indefinitely.
The order comes alongside a 24-hour suspension of mobile internet and bulk SMS services in the district. While some essential messaging services remain active, digital learning platforms have been rendered inaccessible.
For students preparing for board exams, the blackout has severed access to online study material, group discussions, and digital assignments.
Internet shutdown and school closure trigger concern
According to an official notification from the office of the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), mobile internet, data services, and bulk SMS facilities will remain suspended till 9 PM on July 14. The suspension, it stated, is aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation and preventing the mobilisation of disruptive elements through social media platforms.
While the administration has painted the measures as precautionary, critics argue the district's education system — already strained post-pandemic — is bearing the brunt of repeated law and order breakdowns.
Security lockdown overshadows academics
More than 2,500 security personnel have been deployed across Nuh, backed by DSPs, drone surveillance, checkpoints, and commando units. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been imposed, banning all public gatherings, arms (licensed or otherwise), and loudspeakers.
The annual religious procession, scheduled through sensitive zones, has been linked to the outbreak of communal violence in 2023, which left six dead. Officials say the administration is not willing to risk a repeat.
Students left in the dark
Students across the district remain in the dark, literally and figuratively. With no classes, no online access, and no clarity on when normalcy will resume, many fear extended disruption.
While the administration remains focused on neutralising any threat to law and order, the collateral damage to education in Nuh is mounting. With classrooms empty, exams paused, and digital learning suspended, students have once again become the invisible casualties in a district perpetually on edge.
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Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Indian Express
Who is Bittu Bajrangi? Controversial cow vigilante who remains banned from stepping into Haryana's Nuh
Banned from the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra that took place in Haryana's Nuh on Monday, Raj Kumar, widely known as Bittu Bajrangi, is a self-styled cow vigilante and the leader of the Gau Raksha Bajrang Force. Emerging as a deeply divisive figure in Haryana, Bajrangi has been embroiled in numerous legal battles and controversies that have sparked widespread debate. While he gained notoriety for his alleged involvement in the 2023 Nuh communal violence, a high-profile incident that drew significant attention, Bajrangi's actions have consistently attracted scrutiny, resulting in multiple FIRs being lodged against him for several offences, including assault and hate speech. His participation in prominent events, such as the recent Haryana Assembly election campaign, has kept him in the public spotlight. Bajrangi's most significant controversy stems from the July 31, 2023, Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra in Nuh, where communal violence erupted, resulting in six deaths, including two home guards and a cleric in Gurugram. He was arrested on August 15, 2023, following a complaint by Assistant Superintendent of Police Usha Kundu, who alleged he and his supporters carried swords and tridents during the procession, defied police orders, and attempted to snatch weapons from officers. The FIR charged him with rioting, assault to deter a public servant, and violations under the Arms Act. A viral video purportedly showed Bajrangi fleeing from police in Faridabad's Dabua before his arrest. He was granted bail on August 30, 2023, after a court noted no evidence that the weapons were used to cause harm. The Nuh district administration and police have since refused him permission to attend subsequent yatras. Before the Nuh violence, Bajrangi faced allegations of hate speech. On July 4, 2023, an FIR was registered at Dabua police station after he posted a video on social media allegedly inciting religious frenzy. Similar FIRs were filed at Dhauj and Mujesar police stations in Faridabad for provocative content targeting a specific community. Another FIR on August 1, 2023, cited a video where Bajrangi, dressed in saffron, was accompanied by a song with threatening lyrics, further fuelling accusations of communal provocation. He was briefly arrested but released on bail. In April 2024, Bajrangi was implicated in a violent incident in Faridabad's Parvatiya Colony. A video surfaced purportedly showing him assaulting a man, Shyam, in the presence of a police officer deployed for his security. Shyam alleged that a mob attacked him, suspecting he was Muslim, and handed him over to Bajrangi, who beat him, causing injuries to his head, hand, and body. An FIR was filed under IPC sections for causing hurt, wrongful restraint, and criminal intimidation. Bajrangi was arrested on April 7, 2024, and the policeman, SP Pramod Kumar, was dismissed for failing to intervene. The Faridabad police also issued a notice to cancel Bajrangi's firearm licence, citing misuse. Bajrangi's legal troubles continued with a death threat case. In July 2024, a minor from Rajasthan was apprehended for threatening Bajrangi with death unless he paid Rs 1 lakh, a case linked to the 2023 Nuh violence aftermath. In June 2025, he filed a complaint alleging threats via a viral Instagram video, leading to an FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for promoting enmity and criminal intimidation. The death of Bajrangi's brother, Mahesh Panchal, in January 2024, added another layer of controversy. Panchal alleged he was set on fire in Faridabad in December 2023, but a forensic report found no traces of flammable liquids, contradicting his claims. No arrests were made, and Bajrangi's assertion of communal targeting was dismissed by police. Politically, Bajrangi contested the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections as an Independent candidate from Faridabad's NIT seat. Despite his criminal record, he campaigned for the BJP at a rally attended by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, raising eyebrows. A Congress leader claimed Bajrangi's popularity was limited, predicting minimal electoral impact. Ahead of the 2025 Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, Bajrangi sought court permission to participate, despite being banned due to his 2023 involvement. He did not secure an urgent hearing. However, a Faridabad police spokesperson said that they had asked him to remain at home on Monday (the day of the yatra), which he complied with. In April, Bajrangi came out in strong support against a Palwal inspector who was suspended and arrested in connection with the brutal torture of a Muslim. The Palwal superintendent of police was transferred soon after.
Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Indian Express
Jalabhishek Yatra held peacefully in Nuh amid internet ban, security measures
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Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Mazaar vandalised ahead of religious yatra in Haryana's Nuh; locals, police prevent communal flare-up, internet suspended
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