Jalna school booked over annual day video: 'Ertugrul' song row sparks probe
Synopsis
A school annual day performance in Jalna, Maharashtra, has spiralled into a communal controversy after a video showing students dancing with mock swords went viral. The school says the music was from the Turkish serial 'Ertugrul Ghazi' and the video was doctored — but police have already booked four people, BJP leaders are demanding the school be sealed, and a DYSP is now on the case.
Key Takeaways
Kids World English School in Partur, Jalna was booked by police on 4 July after a viral annual day video triggered public outrage.
A case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered against 4 individuals : the principal, school president, a teacher, and the event anchor.
Complainants alleged students danced to the slogan 'Sar Tan Se Juda' or a Pakistani song while wielding mock swords.
Principal Wazhiyoddin Siddiqui denied the charges, saying the music was from the Turkish serial Ertugrul Ghazi and the video was tampered with.
BJP leaders Babanrao Lonikar and Kirit Somaiya visited the area, demanded action, and called for the school to be sealed over alleged lack of state recognition.
A DYSP-level investigation has been ordered to verify video authenticity and determine if laws were violated.
A school in Jalna district, Maharashtra, has been booked by Partur police following the viral circulation of a video from its annual day function, in which students were allegedly seen performing a dance routine with mock swords to what some complainants described as a controversial song. The case was registered on 4 July after a group of local leaders filed a formal complaint against the school administration of Kids World English School in Partur.
What the Video Shows
According to police sources, the video — which spread rapidly on social media — depicts a group of students dancing while wielding imitation swords during a stage performance. Complainants alleged that the song played during the routine was the provocative slogan 'Sar Tan Se Juda', while other reports claimed it was a Pakistani song. Photographs or visuals of allegedly controversial figures were also said to have been displayed on stage during the event, further inflaming public sentiment.
Case Registered, DYSP Probe Ordered
The Partur police registered a formal case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against four individuals: school principal Wazhiyoddin Siddiqui, the school president, a teacher, and the event's anchor. The charges include sections related to acts affecting the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India, promoting enmity between different groups, and spreading misinformation affecting national integration. A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP)-level investigation has been ordered to verify the authenticity of the video, examine how the performance was approved, and determine whether any laws were actively violated.
School Denies Allegations, Cites Turkish Serial
The school administration has strongly contested the charges, saying the performance has been wilfully misrepresented online. Principal Siddiqui told reporters, 'The music used during the programme was from the popular Turkish television historical serial Ertugrul Ghazi, and not a Pakistani song. The image shown during the performance was of an actor from that serial. Some persons have tampered with the visuals and circulated misleading content on social media.' The school maintained that the routine was a theatrical presentation inspired by historical drama, featuring harmless prop swords, with no intent to incite communal tension or promote extremism.
Political Reaction
The controversy has drawn sharp political attention in Maharashtra. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and former minister Babanrao Lonikar and senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya visited the area and demanded stringent action against the school. Somaiya went further, alleging that the school lacks valid recognition from the state's Education Department, and called for the premises to be sealed. Authorities have said that any further administrative or legal steps will depend entirely on the outcome of the ongoing police investigation.
What Happens Next
The DYSP-level probe is expected to be the decisive step in resolving conflicting claims — particularly around whether the video circulating online has been doctored, as the school alleges. The findings will also determine whether the school faces additional regulatory action over its recognition status. This incident comes amid a broader national sensitivity around school events perceived to carry communal overtones, making the probe's conclusions politically consequential for the region.
Point of View
As the school claims — should have preceded the FIR, not followed it. The BJP's rush to the site before the probe concluded, and Somaiya's call to seal the premises on a separate recognition issue, suggests the political response is running ahead of the legal one. If the school's 'Ertugrul Ghazi' explanation holds up under scrutiny, the reputational damage to students and staff will be difficult to undo — and the question of accountability for the viral misinformation will go unanswered.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Kids World English School in Jalna booked by police?
The school was booked after a video from its annual day function went viral, allegedly showing students dancing with mock swords to a controversial song. Partur police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on 4 July following a complaint by local leaders, with charges related to promoting enmity and acts affecting national integrity.
What does the school say in its defence?
School principal Wazhiyoddin Siddiqui has denied all allegations, stating that the music used was from the popular Turkish historical serial 'Ertugrul Ghazi' and not a Pakistani song. He further claimed that the visuals were tampered with before being shared on social media, and that the performance was a theatrical routine with harmless prop swords.
Who has been booked in the Jalna school case?
Four individuals have been named in the FIR: principal Wazhiyoddin Siddiqui, the school president, a teacher, and the event's anchor. A DYSP-level investigation has been ordered to verify the video's authenticity and assess whether laws were violated.
What is the political reaction to the Jalna school controversy?
BJP MLA and former minister Babanrao Lonikar and senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya visited Partur and demanded strict action. Somaiya additionally alleged that the school lacks valid recognition from the state's Education Department and called for its premises to be sealed.
What happens next in the Jalna school probe?
A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) has been tasked with verifying the video's authenticity, reviewing how the performance was approved, and determining whether any laws were violated. Further administrative or legal action, including on the school's recognition status, will depend on the probe's findings.
