The school principal and students deny claims amid conflicting accounts; probe reveals possible motive to target the Muslim community
NEW DELHI – In Uttar Pradesh’s Budaun district, a government school in the Risoli area of Ambiyapur block has become the centre of a heated dispute during the holy month of Ramadan. Hindu right-wing groups have raised loud protests, claiming that Muslim girl students were made to offer namaz inside the school premises. They have submitted complaints to officials and threatened statewide demonstrations if strict action is not taken. However, the school principal has strongly denied that any such religious activity ever took place, and statements from students and staff show clear contradictions, raising questions about whether a small matter is being blown up on purpose to harass the Muslim community.
The school in question is a junior high or upper primary government institution in Risoli. A video went viral on social media showing what some claimed was a collective namaz, leading to quick outrage from groups like Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. They accused teachers of forcing or allowing prayers on school grounds, calling it against the secular nature of education. One leader from these groups said, “School is a temple of learning, not a mosque or dargah where namaz can be offered.” He claimed it was a conspiracy by some in the Muslim community to go against the government’s intent.
But the school’s principal, Ram Autar, has completely rejected these accusations. “No namaz of any kind has ever taken place in this school,” he said firmly. He added that the girl who made the initial complaint might have been misled by someone, and pointed to possible personal grudges among staff as the real reason behind the issue coming to light. “There is some internal misunderstanding between teachers, and this has been used to create this problem,” he explained. He made it clear that no religious activity would be allowed on the premises, and none had happened before.
Student accounts add more confusion to the claims. Alfiya, one of the Muslim girls named in the allegations, called the whole thing false. “I go home to offer namaz,” she said. She even suggested that the person who complained might have been the one praying, but the blame was wrongly put on others. Another student, Sakshi, gave a different version, saying Muslim girls do pray in two rooms of the school, and it happened on Thursday as well as throughout last Ramadan. These differing statements from the very students involved make the accusations look doubtful.
A female teacher, Kiran Sisodia, who raised the initial concern, also offered conflicting details. She told investigators that girls had asked for permission to pray, but she told them to go home instead. When asked if namaz happened on Thursday, she insisted no, they were stopped and were allowed to go home. But when she pointed to one girl as her source, the girl immediately contradicted her, saying, “I did not say any such thing. You are unnecessarily dragging us into this.” This direct rebuttal in front of others highlights how unreliable some claims appear.
The Hindu organisations have not backed down. They met the Basic Education Officer (BSA) and demanded a proper probe team. They warned that if the investigation is not fair, they will hold dharnas across Uttar Pradesh and complain directly to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Their actions follow a similar pattern seen recently in Bareilly, where false claims were made against a Muslim principal for supposedly teaching namaz to girls. An inquiry there proved the allegations baseless, and the principal was cleared of all charges.
Local Muslims feel this is part of a larger effort to target them, especially in Ramadan when prayers increase. “Why turn a simple thing into a big fight?” asked a parent from the area who did not want to be named. “Muslim children have the right to pray, just like others follow their faith. But here, even if nothing happened, groups rush to protest and threaten.” They point out that schools sometimes allow Hindu rituals without issue, yet namaz draws immediate anger.
The administration has ordered an inquiry, with a team including the BSA recording statements from students, teachers, and villagers. A report is expected soon. For now, the situation remains tense but calm, with no reports of violence.
This incident shows how quickly faith-related matters can be used to create division in Uttar Pradesh. Muslim families in the area worry it adds to the sense of being watched and blamed unfairly. “We just want our children to study in peace,” said one mother. “These protests scare everyone and make school feel unsafe.” As the probe continues, many hope that the truth comes out without more harm to innocent students or the community.
