NHRC issues notices to CBSE, Jalna officials over extremist content at school event
Synopsis
India's apex human rights body has stepped in after a journalist alleged that children at a Jalna school were made to perform to extremist content — and that he faced police and administrative retaliation for reporting it. The NHRC has given CBSE, the district magistrate, and Jalna Police two weeks to explain themselves.
Key Takeaways
The NHRC issued notices to CBSE , the District Magistrate, Jalna , and the Superintendent of Police, Jalna on 24 June .
The complaint alleges minor children performed to an extremist Pakistani song with a display of Mumtaz Qadri at Kids World English School, Partur .
The NHRC bench, presided over by Member Priyank Kanoongo , took cognisance under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 .
The complainant — a journalist — alleges the school and Jalna Police launched a retaliatory campaign, including takedown notices to X and threats of criminal cases.
All three authorities must submit action taken reports within two weeks .
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Jalna district administration, and Maharashtra Police over allegations that minor children were made to perform to an extremist Pakistani song at a school annual day function in Jalna district, Maharashtra. The commission has directed all three authorities to submit action taken reports within two weeks.
What the NHRC Did
A bench of the NHRC presided over by Member Priyank Kanoongo took cognisance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. Acting on a formal complaint, the commission's Law Division on Wednesday, 24 June issued notices to the Chairman, CBSE, the District Magistrate, Jalna, and the Superintendent of Police, Jalna, directing each to inquire into the allegations and report back.
The Alleged Incident
According to the complaint placed before the commission, the incident allegedly took place during an annual day event at Kids World English School in Partur, Jalna district. The complainant alleged that 'minor children were made to perform to an extremist Pakistani song promoting violence, accompanied by a background display of terrorist Mumtaz Qadri.' The NHRC noted that the allegations 'prima facie seem to be violations of the human rights of the victims.'
Journalist Alleges Retaliatory Action
The complainant, who raised the issue in his capacity as a journalist, further alleged that both the school administration and the Jalna Police responded with a retaliatory campaign after he went public. According to the NHRC's account of the complaint, formal takedown notices were reportedly issued to X (formerly Twitter) and the complainant was allegedly threatened with criminal cases 'to suppress the investigation.'
The complainant requested the NHRC to take formal cognisance of the alleged extremist content, order an independent inquiry into the alleged administrative intimidation, and extend protection to investigative journalists from retaliatory law enforcement action.
What Happens Next
The NHRC has set a two-week deadline for all three authorities — CBSE, the Jalna district administration, and Maharashtra Police — to submit their action taken reports. The commission will review these reports before deciding on further steps. The case is being closely watched given its intersection of child rights, media freedom, and questions of institutional accountability at the school and district levels.
Point of View
And the alleged institutional response to the journalist who flagged it. If the retaliatory campaign claim holds up, it points to a pattern where local police and school administrations use legal pressure to contain embarrassing disclosures rather than address them. The commission's two-week deadline is tight, but the real test will be whether the action taken reports are substantive or procedural. Child rights and press freedom rarely intersect so directly — and the outcome here will signal how seriously district administrations treat both.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What action has the NHRC taken in the Jalna school extremist content case?
The NHRC has issued notices to CBSE, the Jalna District Magistrate, and the Superintendent of Police, Jalna, directing them to inquire into the allegations and submit action taken reports within two weeks. The bench of Member Priyank Kanoongo took cognisance under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
What exactly was alleged to have happened at the Jalna school event?
A complainant alleged that minor children were made to perform to an extremist Pakistani song promoting violence at Kids World English School in Partur, Jalna, during an annual day function. The performance allegedly featured a background display of Mumtaz Qadri, described in the complaint as a terrorist.
Who filed the complaint with the NHRC?
The complaint was filed by a journalist who said he had raised the issue publicly in his reporting capacity. He further alleged that the school administration and Jalna Police responded with a retaliatory campaign, including takedown notices to X and threats of criminal cases.
Why is the NHRC involved in a school event matter?
The NHRC took cognisance because the allegations prima facie suggest violations of the human rights of the minor children involved, as well as potential suppression of a journalist acting in the public interest. The commission has jurisdiction under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
What happens after the two-week deadline for the action taken reports?
Once the CBSE Chairman, District Magistrate, and Superintendent of Police submit their reports, the NHRC will review them and determine further action. Depending on the findings, the commission could escalate its inquiry or issue additional directions.
