A school in Allahabad has refused to allow recital of the National Anthem by students and staff members on Independence Day, claiming that its words violated the tenets of Islam, following which eight teachers, including the principal, have quit in protest against the diktat.
The order was passed by Mohammad Zia-ul Haq, Manager of MA Convent School in Sadiabad locality of Allahabad. Situated in the densely populated Muslim dominated locality, the school has a total of 330 students.
“The school has 200 Hindu students while remaining 130 are Muslims. How can he ban things like Vande Mataram and national anthem citing stupid religious reasons. I left the school as soon as I heard about this. Seven more teachers have also left the job as this is not acceptable at all,” said the Principal of the school who didn’t wished to be named.
The manager said that if they were not in agreement with this “policy” of the school, they could leave.
“Most of us have been working here for not a very long time. We were shocked to learn from the management that the school has never allowed the singing of national anthem in the last 12 years.
“Since we had been asked to fall in line or leave, we chose a decision based on our conscience,” Ritu Tripathi, who was the principal, said.
The Basic Shiksha Adhikari of Allahabad, Jaikaran Yadav, said, “We are surprised to learn that the school is still running.
“It is not duly recognized by the Basic Shiksha department and we had sent its management a notice to close the institution about a week ago.”
He said a probe is on in the matter and action will be taken as per law.
“The reported refusal to allow singing of national anthem would amount to yet another offence on part of the school’s management,” he said.
