Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Working President Alok Kumar
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Working President Alok Kumar has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the controversy surrounding a private school in Hyderabad after allegations surfaced that a Class II Hindu student was asked to learn and recite the Kalma and Surah Al-Fatihah as part of school homework.
Calling the incident “deeply concerning”, he said the Telangana government must conduct a thorough probe to determine whether it was the action of an individual teacher or part of an organised attempt to impart religious instruction to minor children.
Referring to the reported homework, Alok Kumar said the Kalma is an Islamic declaration of faith affirming that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Prophet Muhammad is His messenger. He stated that recitation of the Kalma is regarded as the declaration through which a person embraces Islam.
Questioning why such an assignment was given to a Hindu child, he asked whether the teacher acted independently or with the approval of the school management. He urged the government not to treat the matter lightly and to investigate whether it was an isolated act or an organised conspiracy.
At the same time, he stressed that while the truth must be brought out and those responsible punished, the authorities should ensure that communal harmony is maintained and no hostility develops between communities.
The controversy erupted after the parents of a six-year-old Class II Hindu student at Success School in Saidabad alleged that their son was instructed through his homework diary to read Surah Al-Fatihah and the Kalma.
Photographs of the diary entries circulated on social media, triggering protests and demands for action against the school. Following the controversy, the school terminated the teacher concerned, while police began examining the complaint.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad-based advocate K. KarunaSagar submitted a formal complaint to the Station House Officer of Saidabad Police Station on July 16, seeking registration of an FIR and a detailed investigation against the school’s management, principal, class teacher and other responsible persons.
In his complaint, KarunaSagar alleged that the school administration and teaching staff directed or compelled minor students, including a Class II student belonging to the Hindu faith, to read and recite Surah Al-Fatihah, a prayer from the Holy Quran, as part of school activity.
The complaint states that the material placed before him included a homework instruction reading “Read Surah Fateha” and that students were also assigned homework to learn the Kalma, described as the Islamic declaration of faith.
The complaint argues that compelling students belonging to another religion to learn or recite religious prayers or declarations without the informed consent of their parents raises serious legal concerns and warrants immediate investigation.
It further notes that Success School is recognised under the School Education Department/SSC Board, Government of Telangana, and that neither recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah nor learning the Kalma forms part of the prescribed SSC curriculum for Class II students.
KarunaSagar further contended that the children involved are minors incapable of making informed religious choices independently and that any act of forcing, pressuring or inducing them to participate in religious instruction contrary to the wishes of their parents requires immediate police intervention.
The complaint also cites possible offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and requests a fair and impartial investigation against the principal, management, in-charge, class teacher and all other persons found responsible, besides seeking appropriate legal action after investigation.
Reacting to the controversy, BJP Telangana President N. Ramachander Rao accused the Congress government of pursuing “appeasement politics” and alleged that such policies had emboldened “extremist elements.”
In a post on X, he described the incident as “Education Jihad in Congress-ruled Telangana”.
Holding Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy responsible, Rao said, “This is on you, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. It is your appeasement politics and statements such as ‘Congress is Muslims and Muslims are Congress’ that have emboldened such extremist elements.”
Expressing concern over the alleged lack of action, Rao claimed that no steps had been taken against the school management despite the seriousness of the matter. “Such is the state of Hindus under Congress rule. The Congress government has turned a blind eye, exposing its complete lack of concern for Hindu students and their families,” he alleged.
The Telangana BJP chief said the Bharatiya Janata Party strongly condemns the incident and demanded an immediate, impartial investigation along with strict action against all those found responsible.
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy termed the incident the “result of Congress’ poisonous politics of appeasement” and said, “This falls squarely on Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. This is the result of Congress’ poisonous politics of appeasement.”
