Iran-themed event at Shantiniketan High School in Hyderabad. Image courtesy: Tathvam-asi (@Tathvam_asi on X
The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) has approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking an inquiry into the alleged exposure of school children at Shantiniketan High School aat Doodhbowli in Hyderabad to Iran-related political messaging, including the distribution of Iranian national flags and the display of a poster of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a compulsory morning assembly.
Describing the incident as a serious violation of children’s rights and institutional accountability, the LRPF has sought a comprehensive probe into the role of an undisclosed NGO, the school management and the circumstances under which the programme was conducted.
In its complaint, LRPF argued that the incident, which took place on July 8, 2026, raises “grave concerns regarding the protection of children from unauthorized external influence, institutional negligence, lack of transparency, and the possible misuse of an educational institution for activities unrelated to its educational objectives.”
The complaint notes that an external guest representing an unidentified NGO was allowed to address hundreds of students during school hours.
Referring to videos and photographs that circulated on social media, LRPF stated that the visuals purportedly showed Iranian national flags being distributed among students and a poster depicting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei displayed during the programme, alongside references to recent developments relating to Iran.
The forum said the incident generated widespread public concern over the appropriateness of such a programme in a school setting.
It also cited the school’s subsequent clarification admitting that an external NGO representative addressed students on “Humanity and World Peace” and that paper Iranian flags and a poster had been brought by the guest without prior disclosure or authorisation.
LRPF contended that the school permitted unrestricted access to impressionable minor students without adequately verifying the programme’s content, the materials to be displayed or the objectives of the visiting organisation.
The forum further questioned why the school failed to disclose the identity of the NGO, its registration details, office-bearers or the credentials of the guest speaker.
It argued that the omission prevents parents, authorities and the public from independently verifying the organisation’s background and affiliations, and called the lack of transparency “highly suspicious”.
The complaint also questioned the timing of the programme. While the school stated that the talk related to children killed in the Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls’ Primary School in Minab, Iran, LRPF pointed out that the incident had occurred more than four months earlier and argued that the school had offered no academic, curricular or pedagogical justification for holding such a programme during a compulsory assembly in Hyderabad.
It further stated that the programme had no connection with the prescribed syllabus, any national observance, local educational initiative or the institution’s educational objectives.
LRPF argued that the selective focus on a foreign geopolitical incident, the involvement of an undisclosed NGO, the participation of an unnamed speaker, the distribution of Iranian national flags and the absence of transparency collectively raise legitimate questions about the programme’s actual purpose.
It also referred to the timing of the event during a period when funeral and state mourning ceremonies relating to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were receiving international attention, stating that an independent inquiry was necessary to determine whether the programme was purely humanitarian or intended to reinforce ongoing developments concerning Iran.
The organisation asserted that children have the fundamental right to receive education in an environment free from indoctrination, coercive persuasion or political, ideological and religious campaigns unrelated to education, and argued that schools must remain neutral spaces dedicated to constitutional values, scientific temper and critical thinking.
Calling for an immediate investigation into the NGO’s identity, funding, affiliations and activities, LRPF also urged authorities to determine whether the organisation had conducted similar programmes in other educational institutions.
A netizen shared the alleged video fo the event at school on social media.
Demands before NHRC
In its prayer before the Commission, LRPF has requested the NHRC to:
Direct the Telangana Education Department to identify and disclose the NGO’s registration details, office-bearers, address, funding sources and the individuals who participated in the programme.
Order an independent inquiry into the NGO, its office-bearers, funding, affiliations and conduct of the programme.
Direct seizure and examination of all relevant records, including video recordings, CCTV footage, photographs, permissions, correspondence and materials connected with the event.
Investigate whether the NGO has organised similar programmes in other educational institutions.
Direct appropriate legal and disciplinary action against the NGO, its representatives and the school management if any violation of law or children’s rights is established.
Direct the Telangana government to frame guidelines requiring verification of external organisations, prior approval of programme content and safeguards to protect children from political, ideological or religious influence in schools.
Pass any other orders deemed appropriate in the interest of justice and protection of children’s rights.
