In Khargone, guest teacher Shahrukh Pathan was compelled to apologise publicly for discouraging students from wearing tilak and kalawa
KHARGONE — A disturbing incident in a school in this Madhya Pradesh city has thrown up serious questions about religious tolerance and minority rights in the state. A Muslim guest teacher, tasked with promoting equality and fraternity among students, was forced by local Hindu organisations to apologise publicly and perform a humiliating “kan pakra” exercise. The video of the incident quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation.
The incident occurred at Sandipani School in Bistan, Khargone, where Shahrukh Pathan, a guest teacher for Class 2 students, asked them not to wear tilak on their foreheads or kalawa on their wrists. The teacher’s intention, according to several staff members, was to foster equality, eliminate religious discrimination, and promote mutual understanding among students.
A school staff member explained, ‘Shahrukh Sir was not stopping the children with any wrong intent. He only wanted them to understand equality and respect for all.’
However, when local Hindu organisations and some parents became aware of this, they reacted angrily. Workers from the Sakal Hindu Samaj arrived at the school, created a ruckus, and demanded that the teacher apologise publicly. According to reports, the teacher was made to hold his ears and perform sit-ups as loud religious slogans were raised around him.
A viral video shows the teacher complying with the orders under duress. Witnesses said that Shahrukh Pathan also submitted a written apology, acknowledging the situation.
The organisations involved also demanded that the school principal, Balram Bhanwar, take immediate action against the teacher. One leader was recorded in the video saying, “This is very wrong. Children from all communities come here to study. This act insults religious sentiments and attempts to distance children from their traditions.”
Critics pointed out that the teacher’s actions were in line with promoting brotherhood and social harmony, rather than undermining religious customs. Legal and educational experts have called for measures to protect minority teachers and ensure schools remain safe spaces for all students.
“Teachers should be able to teach without fear of harassment,” said an education rights activist. ‘Forcing a teacher to apologise publicly and perform such exercises is unacceptable and damages both the educator and the students’ learning environment.”
This incident highlights ongoing tensions in some regions of the country regarding religious practices in schools, and raises urgent questions about how minority educators are treated while performing their professional duties in promoting equality and social cohesion.
