A major controversy erupted in Gujarat’s Jamnagar and Vadodara after students were discovered to be taught namaz. A video of Sonalnagar Anganwadi in Jamnagar went viral on social media in which a staff member was heard asking the students to raise the “Ya Hussain, Ya Hussain” slogan. They were also being instructed on how to perform namaz and information about Eid was also imparted to them. The footage infuriated Hindus who demanded action against the female employee.
The video was recorded by her after which it was shared on media and online. The children are seen receiving information about Eid from the accused who is teaching them everything, including how to eat sweets and wear new outfits during the Islamic festival. She is directing the youngsters to “get up early on Eid and wear new clothes” and also telling them to prepare biryani. Furthermore, she is also encouraging them to go to mosques and offer namaz. The kids were also observed learning about Eid Mubarak.
'ઈદના દિવસે સવારે વહેલા ઉઠીને નમાજ પઢવી, રસોઇમાં બિરિયાની બનાવવી': જામનગરની આંગણવાડીનો વિડીયો વાયરલ, બાળકો 'યા હુસૈન…યા હુસૈન…'ના નારા પણ લગાવતાં જોવા મળ્યાં
— ઑપઇન્ડિયા (@OpIndia_G) July 13, 2024
સંચાલક મહિલાએ કહ્યું- અમને વોટ્સએપ પર સૂચના અને થીમ અપાય છે. બે બાળકો મુસ્લિમ હતાં. સૌને ઈદ વિશે શીખવવામાં આવી રહ્યું… pic.twitter.com/ts8mIbhQi8
Afterwards, the employee prompted the students to chant “Ya Hussain, Ya Hussain” when she asked, “What is said while lifting the Tazia” as all the pupils started yelling the Islamic slogan along with her. The development has caused great anger among the Hindus who have called for stringent measures in the matter. Now the woman who was identified as Induben Rathore and has been serving at the facility for part twenty-one years released a statement regarding the issue. She claimed that instructions have been received on various themes through WhatsApp for the last two years to teach the students. They were directed to celebrate the occasion according to the theme which was also provided for previous Eid and the festival was explained to the children for a minute or two.
જામનગરમાં હવે આંગણવાડીમાં નમાઝના પાઠ
— NewsCapital Gujarat (@NewsCapitalGJ) July 13, 2024
નાના બાળકોને શીખવાડાઈ રહ્યુ છે નમાઝ પઢતા
સોનલ નગરની આંગણવાડીનો વીડિયો વાયરલ થતા વિવાદ#Jamnagar #Sonalnagar #Anganwadi #Namaz #Children #Gujarat #NewCaptalGujarat #JaneCheGujarat pic.twitter.com/YyZo8IPcBc
The employee conveyed, “Two children who participated in it belong to the minority community. All the kids join the celebrations with interest.” Notably, many students can be spotted reading namaz and chanting “Ya Hussain, Ya Hussain” due to which Hindu outfits have been demonstrating.
What happened in Vadodara
After Jamnagar, another row broke out over teaching namaz to children in Karnali Anganwadi of Vadodara where Hindu students have been celebrating Eid by tying a handkerchief on their heads. Local Hindu outfits have protested against it. Vadodara MLA Shailesh Mehta has also objected and informed the state education minister about the incident. He added that Anganwadi centres should not be allowed to become madrasas. He demanded strong action in the case.
According to the information, namaz has been offered by the kids in Karnali Anganwadi which is located in Dabhoi, Vadodara. Hindu groups have opposed this method of celebration being inculcated in Hindu children even though the curriculum does not comprise any lesson on Eid. The staff member there instructed the youngsters to perform namaz and celebrated Eid by wrapping a handkerchief on their heads. Local Hindu organizations have informed the education authority about the instance and demanded immediate action.
MLA Shailesh Mehta’s statement has also come to the fore in the matter. He stated that Karnali is the centre of faith for crores of Hindus. On 12th July, small children were taught about Eid and namaz in an Anganwadi and an attempt was made to make them pray by putting handkerchiefs on their heads. This incident is very sad. He further expressed that he contacted the Collector, Drawing and Disbursing Office (DDO), Dabhoi Provincial Officer, among others as soon as the occurrence came to his notice. He also complained to the state’s Education Minister through WhatsApp.
Namaz in Anganwadi: Dabhoi MLA takes up the matter
— Our Vadodara (@ourvadodara) July 14, 2024
The issue of offering Namaz in an Anganwadi (child care center) in Karnali, Dabhoi is gaining momentum. Shailesh Mehta, MLA of Dabhoi, has condemned the incident of offering Namaz in an educational institution and has brought… pic.twitter.com/wx5hdxlNLb
The legislator mentioned, “We also notified the Chief Minister’s personal secretary about the occurrence. This is a really significant issue. It is an extremely serious matter to teach children about other religions. There is no requirement for religious knowledge in Anganwadis, which they attend for education. If someone’s a Muslim and wants religious education, then they would go to a madrasa. However, it is unacceptable to continue the program of turning Anganwadis into madrasas.”
'ઈદના દિવસે સવારે વહેલા ઉઠીને નમાજ પઢવી, રસોઇમાં બિરિયાની બનાવવી': જામનગરની આંગણવાડીનો વિડીયો વાયરલ, બાળકો 'યા હુસૈન…યા હુસૈન…'ના નારા પણ લગાવતાં જોવા મળ્યાં
— ઑપઇન્ડિયા (@OpIndia_G) July 13, 2024
સંચાલક મહિલાએ કહ્યું- અમને વોટ્સએપ પર સૂચના અને થીમ અપાય છે. બે બાળકો મુસ્લિમ હતાં. સૌને ઈદ વિશે શીખવવામાં આવી રહ્યું… pic.twitter.com/ts8mIbhQi8
The BJP leader declared, “A similar incident took place in Jamnagar’s Anganwadi. The government must treat this as a serious issue because it is one. There will be legal action taken against the guilty parties. In Gujarat, no Anganwadi would be permitted to turn into a madrasa. When the Anganwadis reopen on Monday, action will be initiated and if not, we will take this seriously and go to Gandhinagar.”
