In Thoothukudi district, a dispute broke out at a government-aided higher secondary school in Aathur after students observing the Mutharamman temple Dussehra fast came to school wearing garlands and protective threads.
According to the report, the headmaster, Ranjith Singh, asked the students to remove the garlands and threads. When one student refused, it was alleged that the headmaster removed the garland himself and also assaulted the student.
After the students informed their parents, more than 100 parents and members of the Hindu Munnani gathered outside the school and staged a sit-in, singing devotional songs. Police held talks with the protesters as tension rose in the area.
The group later blocked the Thoothukudi–Tiruchendur road, affecting traffic. Following police advice, the headmaster apologised in the presence of the protesters, but parents still filed a complaint.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case against the headmaster for allegedly deliberately insulting religious beliefs. Separate cases were also registered against 90 people for participating in an unauthorised road blockade.
