Despite the Uttar Pradesh government’s strict measures to regulate religious activities in schools and colleges, educational institutions persist in engaging in such practices. A recent incident in Lucknow, the state’s capital, vividly illustrates this issue, wherein students were observed performing Namaz on school premises. This video, capturing the event, has been widely shared on social media since last Saturday (October 21).
On October 21, the headmistress of a school located on Npier Road in Lucknow was suspended when it was discovered that some students were offering namaz within the school’s prayer area. Lucknow Basic Shiksha Adhikari Arun Kumar took this action in response to the controversy surrounding a viral video depicting students and a teacher participating in namaz during school hours. Operated by the Basic Education Council, the school faced severe consequences, including the reprimand of an assistant teacher and Shiksha Mitra for their involvement in the incident.
लखनऊ में बेसिक शिक्षा परिषद के विद्यालय में छात्राओं के नमाज़ पढ़ने का वीडियो हुआ वायरल। हिंदू संगठनों ने इस घटना के बाद किया हंगामा। स्कूल की इंचार्ज मीरा यादव पर नमाज पढ़वाने का आरोप लगा। ठाकुरगंज के नैपियर रोड कॉलोनी में है स्कूल। pic.twitter.com/abp0WNKDhM
— SANJAY TRIPATHI (@sanjayjourno) October 21, 2023
This incident elicited significant criticism from Hindu organisations, who expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation. The officer’s disciplinary action was a direct result of the widespread outcry provoked by the circulation of the video.
The school, which has an enrollment of 106 children, notably includes a significant number of Muslim students. Last Friday (October 20), children from primary classes, ranging from standard 1 to 5, collectively engaged in a namaz prayer within the school premises.
However, this practice faced opposition from other students who objected to the act of offering namaz at the school. Consequently, a video capturing the incident gained widespread attention as it circulated widely. The incident’s confirmation came on October 21.
The Block Education Officer for Zone-IV recommended departmental action against Principal Meera Yadav, Assistant Teacher Tehzeeb Fatima, and Shiksha Mitra Mamta Mishra.
In response to the incident, Basic Education Officer Arun Kumar suspended Headmistress Meera Yadav on October 21. Teacher Tehzeeb Fatima and Shiksha Mitra Mamta Mishra received stern warnings. Block Education Officer Rajesh Kumar Singh has been appointed to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. He is expected to submit the investigative report within 15 days.
During a media briefing, Basic Education Officer Arun Kumar stated, “A group of seven to eight students engaged in activities that should not have occurred on the school premises. It was discovered that namaz had been offered for a while at the school. We have suspended Headmistress (in charge) Meera Yadav in connection with the issue.”
“A practice of offering namaz on school premises goes against departmental guidelines,” noted a district-level education officer.
According to other teachers at the school, who requested anonymity, the principal took this step to enable students to observe their Friday prayer without missing any lectures. Previously, students who went home for namaz would often not return for classes, as reported by the Times of India.
“The other teachers at the school, Tehzeeb Fatima and Mamta Mishra have also received a strict warning, considering them as accomplices in the mentioned act,” added the BEO.
