Action against principal and teachers after video of students reciting the poem goes viral; Muslim groups and educationists question the selective targeting of Urdu
SAMBHAL — A controversy has broken out in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district after a video from a government school showing students reciting the famous Urdu prayer “Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua” during morning assembly went viral on social media, leading to the suspension of three school staff members and the registration of an FIR.
The incident took place at a school in Jalab Sarai area under the Nakhasa police station limits in Sambhal district. District authorities suspended principal Anjar Ahmad, assistant teacher Mohammad Gul Ejaz and acting principal Valesh Kumar after allegations were levelled regarding the conduct of the morning assembly and the alleged use of religious practices inside the school.
According to officials, the action was taken after a video circulated online showing schoolchildren reciting the Urdu prayer written by noted poet and philosopher Allama Iqbal. The lines heard in the video were: “Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri, zindagi shama ki surat ho khudaya meri.”
The poem has historically been recited in many schools across the Indian subcontinent for decades and is widely seen by many educationists as a moral prayer focusing on knowledge, goodness and service to humanity. However, some right-wing groups objected to its recitation, claiming that it carried a religious tone and was inappropriate for a government school.
The controversy quickly grew after allegations surfaced that Hindu students were allegedly being given “Islamic education” and that some female students were being encouraged to wear hijab during assembly. Questions were also raised over students wearing caps in the video.
Officials from the education department launched an inquiry after the video gained attention online. Following preliminary findings, Sambhal District Magistrate Ankit Khandelwal ordered action against the school authorities.
The Basic Education Department later suspended the principal and two teachers. Officials also confirmed that an FIR had been registered against the three staff members.
District authorities stated that a three-member committee headed by the Chief Development Officer had been formed to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter.
An official statement from the administration said, “Any irregularity or violation of rules in schools will not be tolerated. A proper inquiry is being conducted and suitable action will be taken based on facts.”
The issue has once again started a wider political and social debate in Uttar Pradesh over language, culture and religious identity in educational institutions.
Several Muslim organisations, Urdu scholars and civil society members questioned the action and argued that the prayer has long been treated as a cultural and literary piece rather than a tool for religious teaching.
A local Urdu teacher, requesting anonymity, said, “This prayer talks about becoming a good human being and serving society. Generations of students across India have read it without any controversy. Suddenly treating Urdu expressions as suspicious is painful for many people.”
Another resident from Sambhal said, “If patriotic songs and Sanskrit prayers are accepted in schools, then Urdu poetry should also not be viewed only through a religious lens. India’s culture has always included many languages and traditions.”
Some education experts also warned against turning school assemblies into political battlegrounds.
An education activist from western Uttar Pradesh said, “Children should not suffer because of political fights outside schools. Authorities should investigate fairly and avoid creating fear among teachers or students.”
At the same time, some Hindu organisations defended the administration’s action and argued that government schools must strictly follow officially approved assembly guidelines.
One local activist said, “Schools funded by the government should avoid anything that can create religious confusion among children. Rules should be the same for everyone.”
The matter has now become part of a larger national discussion over the place of Urdu language and Muslim cultural identity in public institutions.
Supporters of Urdu point out that the language is one of India’s recognised languages and has deep roots in Indian literature, journalism and the freedom movement. They argue that literary works in Urdu are increasingly being viewed with suspicion because of political polarisation.
Critics of the recent action also said social media outrage often leads to immediate administrative steps even before detailed investigations are completed.
A retired school principal from Moradabad said, “Administrations today come under pressure very quickly after videos go viral. Instead of calm discussion, decisions are often taken in a tense atmosphere.”
The controversy has drawn attention beyond Sambhal, with debates continuing online over whether the issue concerns school discipline, religious neutrality, or the treatment of minority cultural expressions in public spaces.
As the inquiry committee begins its work, many parents and teachers are waiting to see whether the suspensions and police action will remain in place or whether the investigation will provide a different picture of what happened inside the school.
No final findings from the detailed inquiry committee had been made public at the time of filing this report.
