A major controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district after videos allegedly showing Hindu students wearing hijabs and skull caps inside a PM Shri government school went viral on social media. The incident led to the suspension of the principal, acting headmaster, and an assistant teacher, while police registered an FIR following directions from the District Magistrate.
The matter pertains to PM Shri School located in Jalam Sarai village of Sambhal district. Allegations surfaced that Hindu boys were allegedly encouraged to wear Islamic skull caps and Hindu girl students were asked to wear hijabs and participate in Islamic-style religious practices during school prayers.
According to officials, allegations were also made that Islamic verses were being recited during the morning assembly prayers. The controversy intensified after videos related to the matter surfaced online on May 7.
Following the viral video, Sambhal Block Education Officer Anshul Kumar visited the school on May 8 to conduct an inspection and interact with students and staff.
Principal, acting headmaster and Urdu teacher suspended
After the inquiry, Basic Shiksha Adhikari Alka Sharma suspended principal Mohammad Anzar Ahmad, acting headmaster Valesh Kumar, and assistant teacher Mohammad Gul Ejaz.
Officials stated that the two Muslim teachers were accused of promoting religious activities inside the institution and allegedly encouraging Hindu students to wear caps and hijabs. An FIR was also registered against principal Mohammad Anzar Ahmad and assistant teacher Mohammad Gul Ejaz over allegations of promoting religious activities, creating discord, and discriminatory conduct inside the PM Shri school.
Government school teacher Anjar Ahmed and Gul Ejaz forced Hindu students to wear Islamic attire in Sambhal, UP.
Hindu girls were made to wear hijabs and Hindu boys skullcaps.
Islamic prayers were also chanted in the morning assembly. pic.twitter.com/JoESGoWhP0
— Team Hindu United (@TeamHinduUnited) May 11, 2026
Acting headmaster Valesh Kumar was suspended for allegedly failing to inform senior authorities about the activities and not properly discharging his responsibilities.
According to officials, the report described the alleged acts as violations of Article 28 of the Constitution, provisions of the Right to Education Act, 2009, and the Uttar Pradesh Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1956.
What education department probe found
During the inspection on May 8, education department officials found only the acting headmaster present at the school. Principal Mohammad Anzar Ahmad was reportedly on medical leave, while other staff members were absent.
The school reportedly has 352 registered students, including 118 children from the Jatav community and 234 Muslim students. On the day of inspection, 220 students were present.
Officials questioned students regarding the viral videos. Several students allegedly informed investigators that religious activities had been taking place inside the school for a long time.
According to the inquiry report, assistant teacher Mohammad Gul Ejaz, who has reportedly been posted at the school since 2014, and principal Mohammad Anzar Ahmad were accused of encouraging religious practices and influencing students to wear Islamic attire.
The report alleged that girl students were taught to wear hijabs and “sajda” while boys were encouraged to come wearing skull caps.
Block Education Officer Anshul Kumar stated that during inspection, girl students from both Hindu and Muslim communities were found wearing hijabs in the school premises.
FIR ordered after DM received probe report
After receiving the preliminary report, Sambhal District Magistrate Ankit Khandelwal directed officials to register an FIR against the accused teachers.
The District Magistrate also constituted a three-member inquiry committee under the chairmanship of Chief Development Officer Gorakhnath Bhatt to conduct a deeper investigation into the matter and examine whether any other staff members were involved.
Speaking about the controversy, the DM said videos had surfaced showing girl students wearing hijabs and boys offering prayers wearing caps. Allegations were also made that Islamic verses were being recited during prayers inside the school.
According to the administration, the preliminary inquiry conducted by the Basic Shiksha Adhikari and Block Education Officer confirmed several of the allegations related to religious activities inside the institution.
The District Magistrate stated that the principal, assistant teacher, and acting headmaster had been suspended with immediate effect for negligence and for allegedly allowing the school environment to be influenced by religious activities.
Parents say they were unaware
Parents of some students claimed they were unaware of what was allegedly happening inside the school.
A parent identified as Pramod Kumar said, “Girls do not leave home wearing hijab. We do not know what happens on the way because we do not accompany them to school. We also felt bad after watching the video. Had we known earlier, we would have questioned our daughter and complained to authorities about who taught her to wear hijab.”
Suspended principal Mohammad Anzar Ahmad denied the allegations and claimed he learned about the issue through news reports.
He said he had been on medical leave since August 15 and insisted that the situation was not as being portrayed publicly.
“We ask students not to come wearing caps and hijabs, but children do not listen. I have learned that I and two other teachers have been suspended. It appears there is some conspiracy against us,” he said.
The principal further stated that he had undergone bypass surgery.
Several students gave varying statements during the inquiry process.
A Class 8 student named Azad reportedly told officials that he wore the skull cap on his own and nobody instructed him to do so. Another student, Anmol, similarly stated that he wore the cap voluntarily out of curiosity to see how Muslim students looked wearing it.
Students also said that the prayer “Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua” used to be recited at school earlier before later being discontinued.
A Class 8 student, Rajnandini, reportedly stated that no one forced her to wear a hijab and that she wore it voluntarily.
Another student, Noori, told officials that “Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua” prayers were conducted first during assembly, followed by the national anthem and other prayers. She claimed that teachers never forced students to wear hijabs or skull caps and added that her parents advised her to wear a dupatta to school as she had grown older.
