A group of Muslims, residing at Palakarai, on Tuesday laid siege to a government aided school in the city, claiming that Muslim children were forced to drink ‘nilavembu kashayam’ when they were on Ramzan fast.
It is said that the children of classes 6 and 7 of Holy Redeemer’s Girls Higher Secondary School were given the siddha medicine as part of steps to combat dengue and other types of fever by the Tiruchirapalli City Corporation. It was alleged that a few Muslim children were also given nilavembu kashayam.
When some children pointed out that they were on Ramzan fast, the teachers apparently insisted that the drink had nothing to do with fast and it was aimed at increasing their immunity.
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Parents and members of local Jamath, who came to know that children were “forcefully” given the kashayam, thronged the school in large numbers when the school opened for the day. They staged a demonstration.
Some of the angry protesters reportedly attacked the watchman of the school, creating tension. Objecting to the attack, members of Holy Redeemer’s Church thronged the spot and were engaged in heated exchanges with the parents.
On information, the police, revenue and corporation officials rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
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Meanwhile, the corporation has postponed supply of nilavembu kasayam to the Holy Redeemer’s School.
N. Rajeshwari, corporation Health Officer, told The Hindu that children were not compelled to drink the kashayam.