Days after Bakrid, an Islamic festival observed on June 28 this year, a series of videos are emerging where Hindu students can be seen offering Islamic prayers. The first video came out from a private school in Gujarat, leading to the suspension of the principal and the other video came from a private school in Karnataka.
In these videos, students can be seen performing skits wherein they are trying to depict the story behind the festival. The controversial part of these videos is where some Hindu students are seen offering Islamic prayers.
In a viral video from Karnataka’s Gyansagar International School, students can be seen sitting in lane, while Surah-Al-Fatiha is being chanted behind. Later on, students depict the story behind the festival wearing Hijab. By the end of the clip, the principal of the school addresses the students by telling them about Islam and Bakrid.
The question is, when the whole country observes vacation on Bakrid for the students, then why these schools asked students to come and join them for the religious gathering?
It is pertinent to mention that, as soon as the video of the incident went viral, the Hindu activists swung into action. While condemning the incident, the activists created a ruckus and demonstrated against the school authorities. They objected to the management’s decision for making Hindu and Christian students recite verses from the Quran. After protests by the Hindu activists, the school manager assured that such events will not happen again in future.
The school authorities have claimed that they did not force the students to recite Quranic verses. The management stated that “they have not forced the children to recite Quranic verses and no ‘namaz’ has been offered. This was done to create harmony and integrity among students.
The management said that “only three children from the Muslim community offered Namaz, while others sat down with their eyes closed.” School teachers claimed that the event was organized to celebrate religious festivals. The management clarified that “not only Bakrid, but cultural programs are also organized on the occasion of all festivals of different religions in the school”.
A similar video of a private school sparked controversy in Gujarat’s Kutch district. The school organised an event where Hindu students were seen offering Namaz on Bakrid.
The viral video shows Hindu students were asked to offer Namaz after wearing skull caps in the school event. Some of the students have put handkerchiefs on their hands and they are seen exchanging greetings, while one of them is telling about the festival from the back.
Priti Vaghwani, the school principal, claimed that the namaz session held on June 28 was a part of the school’s activities. She also issued an apology if the sentiments of anyone were hurt.
The viral video was shared on Facebook with the caption, special assembly on account of Eid-ul-Adha. A skit presentation by 5A students.
Notably, The District Primary Education Officer (DPEO) in Gujarat’s Bhuj has launched an investigation into the incident. He said, if found guilty, the school could face severe consequences, including approval cancellation.
DPEO Sanjay Parmar told The Indian Express that it was a “heen krutya (lowly act)” to “ask Hindu students to wear skullcaps worn by Muslims”.
In another incident, a school in North Gujarat, Kids Kingdom School on Radhanpur Road in Mahesana, faced protests from locals, parents, and Hindu organisations for ordering Hindu children to participate in Bakrid celebrations.
Read the report here for more details.
Taking cognizance of the matter the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) issued notices to the respective schools demanding an action report within seven days.
Well, in a similar school from Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh run by Muslim families forced, Hindu students to wear Hijab as a mandatory dress code, recite Surah-Al-Fatiha as mandatory morning prayer, followed by Allama Iqbal’s ‘Lab pe aai hai dua’. The school had Arabic and Urdu as compulsory language subjects for the students, a hidden entrance to the Mosque and whatnot.
Right now the school is witnessing suspension of registration and to make the government revoke the orders, the administration is using children as the face of protest. The education department is making sure every student of the school gets relocated to as many as five government schools.
