On Saturday, (21st October) the headmistress of a school at Npier Road in Lucknow was suspended after some students were found offering namaz inside the prayer area of the school. The action by Lucknow Basic Shiksha Adhikari Arun Kumar came in response to the controversy surrounding a viral video that showed students and a teacher offering namaz during school hours. Operated by the Basic Education Council, the school faced strict repercussions as an assistant teacher and Shiksha Mitra was also reprimanded for their involvement in this incident.
The incident drew significant criticism from Hindu organisations, who expressed their discontent with the situation. The disciplinary action taken by the officer was a direct consequence of the widespread uproar caused by the video’s circulation.
The school has an enrollment of 106 children, with a significant presence of Muslim students among them. On Friday, children from the primary classes, ranging from standard 1 to 5, conducted a group namaz prayer within the school premises.
However, this activity faced opposition from other students who objected to the practice of offering namaz at the school. Subsequently, a video capturing the incident garnered widespread attention as it went viral. The incident was confirmed on Saturday.
Block Education Officer Zone-IV had recommended departmental action against principal Meera Yadav, assistant teacher Tehzeeb Fatima and Shiksha Mitra Mamta Mishra.
Following the incident, Basic Education Officer Arun Kumar suspended headmistress Meera Yadav on Saturday. Teacher Tehzeeb Fatima and Shiksha Mitra Mamta Mishra have been given a stern warning. Block Education Officer Rajesh Kumar Singh has been appointed to investigate the whole matter. He is expected to submit the investigation report within 15 days.
In a media interaction, Basic Education Officer Arun Kumar said, “Some seven to eight students were doing some activities that shouldn’t have happened on the school premises. It was found that namaz was being offered for a while at the school. We have suspended headmistress (in charge) Meera Yadav in connection with the issue.”
