SAMBHAL — A fresh controversy has erupted in Sambhal district after Hindu organisations protested after a framed Quranic verse was found inside a government primary school, leading to the suspension of a Muslim assistant teacher along with the school’s headmistress.
The incident occurred at a government primary school in Nagla Purva village under the Kurh Fatehgarh police station area. Members of the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad reached the school after learning that a framed Quranic verse was hanging above the gate of a classroom. The groups raised objections and demanded action against the school staff.
According to local sources, the protesters argued that religious material should not be displayed in a government school. They held assistant teacher Mohammad Nazim responsible and accused him of giving Islamic lessons to students—an allegation strongly denied by the teacher and several villagers.
“We never taught religion to any child,” Mohammad Nazim said. “I am a government teacher and teach only the syllabus prescribed by the department. These charges are false and made under pressure.”
Videos from the scene show activists questioning teachers aggressively, inspecting classrooms, checking blackboards and books, and moving around the school in a manner resembling an official inspection. Protesters also claimed that posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Goddess Saraswati had been removed—claims the school staff denied.
A local resident said, “This is a small village school. No one ever complained earlier. The teacher has been targeted only because he is Muslim.”
Police arrived at the school following information about the protest. In their presence, Hindu group members submitted a written complaint and warned of further protests if action was not taken. Soon after, the framed Quranic verse was removed from the wall.
Taking note of the matter, Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Alka Sharma suspended both the headmistress, Pushpa Jatav, and assistant teacher Mohammad Nazim. “The issue involves a violation of school norms. An inquiry has been ordered, and action has been taken as a precaution,” she said.
However, critics say the swift suspension raises serious concerns. “Suspending teachers before a proper inquiry sends the wrong message,” said a local education activist. “It appears decisions are being taken under pressure from street protests.”
The school’s principal has not yet issued a public statement.
The incident has revived memories of a similar case in Mathura, where a Muslim headmaster, Jan Mohammad, was accused of forcing students to offer namaz and beating them for not reciting the national anthem. Those allegations were later found to be false after an investigation. Villagers, parents, and students had stood by the teacher, and the BSA eventually revoked his suspension, acknowledging the error.
“The teacher was punished only because of his name,” a villager from the Mathura case had said. “The truth came out later, but the damage was already done.”
Members of the Muslim community in Sambhal say the pattern is troubling. “Again and again, Muslim teachers are accused without proof,” said a local community elder. “If a framed verse leads to suspension, why are similar actions not taken when religious symbols appear elsewhere?”
As the inquiry continues, many are questioning whether rules are being applied equally or whether fear and pressure are influencing administrative decisions. For now, Mohammad Nazim remains suspended, awaiting an investigation that many hope will be fair, factual, and free from outside influence.
