Hyderabad, July 17 -- Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar's remark that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would make bottu (bindi) mandatory for Hindu students once the party comes to power in Telangana has triggered sharp criticism, with many questioning why the response to the Success School homework row centred on religious symbols rather than concerns for student safety or education.

The controversy began after parents of a Class 2 student at Success School in Hyderabad's Saidabad found homework in the child's diary instructing him to recite and write the Kalma and Surah Fatiha. The student's relative, Supriya Goud, said the diary contained religion-related assignments that were not meant for the child, and questioned how many other stu...