February 20, 2024, Mangaluru, India – The Education Department, led by Akash Shankar IAS, has launched an investigation into allegations of a teacher making derogatory remarks against Hinduism at St. Gerosa School. This incident arose during a class on Rabindranath Tagore’s poem “Work is worship.” Hindutva groups and BJP leaders protested outside the school, leading to the dismissal of the teacher. The school management refutes the accusations and blames local BJP MLAs for instigating the controversy. An FIR has been filed against the MLAs for allegedly inciting communal discord. Shankar assured reporters that a thorough investigation is underway, with a detailed report to be submitted to the government. The probe aims to address parental concerns and ensure a fair resolution to the incident.