Education Ministry launches inquiry amid allegations of bias in Madhya Pradesh’s government primary institution; Muslim residents emphasise coexistence
NEW DELHI — Khamaria village in Batiagarh block of Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district has witnessed rising tensions after a government primary school named “Islampura” became the focus of protests by Hindu organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The groups claim that religious names and symbols have no place in government-run educational institutions.
The school operates on land donated by the Athiya family, although the donation deed does not mention the name “Islampura.” Nevertheless, government records and the official portal list the institution under this name, which has prompted questions and demands for a formal investigation from Hindu leaders.
Bablu Rai, District Vice President of the VHP, and Bharat Rai, Hata Block President, visited the school to inspect the premises. They reported seeing religious symbols such as “Eid Mubarak” and a star painted on the walls and ceiling. Bablu Rai said, “Government schools should be secular spaces. No religious symbols or names should be present here.”
However, school in-charge Charandas Patel defended the institution, saying there has been no casteism or communal bias in the school. “I had not noticed the writings on the walls, but if anyone objects, they will be removed. Our focus has always been on providing education to the children, irrespective of faith,” he said. The school currently has around 20 students, taught by two Hindu teachers.
The Education Ministry has intervened to clarify the matter. District Project Coordinator Mukesh Dwivedi explained, “The school has been registered as ‘Islampura’ in government records since its inception. If the villagers wish, the name can be changed through administrative procedures. We are also investigating the religious words and symbols painted on the walls, and action will be taken if anyone is found guilty.”
Residents emphasised that the school serves a mixed community and has long been a centre for education without religious discrimination. A Muslim parent, Farida Khan Pathan, commented, “This school is for our children. We have always lived peacefully with our Hindu neighbours. The name reflects our settlement, and it does not harm anyone.”
Khamaria village has a population of about 2,000, with approximately 60–70 families living in the “Islampura” settlement. The school previously functioned as a satellite institution but has now been upgraded to a full-fledged primary school. Community members stressed that the institution has been a shared space for learning and should not be politicised.
This controversy highlights the delicate balance between religious identity and public education in India, with authorities seeking a resolution that respects legal guidelines while ensuring harmony in the village.
