Alleged bias sparks controversy in a government school in Bijnor District
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — A government school teacher in Bhandeda village of Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor District has been suspended after allegations surfaced that she stopped students from attending school with a tilak on their foreheads. The teacher, Tanveer Ayesha, is also accused of punishing students wearing the traditional Hindu mark. The accusations have led to a heated controversy, further complicated by communal tensions within the school.
According to Yash, a Grade VI student: “Teacher Ayesha forbids us from coming to school with a tilak on our forehead, while many Muslim children come to school wearing caps. They are not stopped.” Another student, Mayank, echoed the allegations, claiming that Ayesha beat him when he questioned why Muslim students were allowed to wear caps.
School principal Rajendra Singh confirmed that he had received complaints about the teacher’s behaviour. “I was informed that teacher Ayesha discourages children from wearing tilak. I have reported the situation to the Block Education Officer,” Singh said. He also clarified that there is no official school policy against wearing tilak. He added that Muslim students are given additional time on Fridays to offer namaz, which has also been a point of contention among some parents and community members.
Following the complaints, the District Basic Education Officer (BSA) Yogendra Kumar suspended Ayesha and halted the annual increments of two other teachers, Mukhtar Ahmed and Usha. “After the matter of stopping students from wearing tilak came to my notice, we took immediate action,” Kumar stated. “Further investigation has been handed over to the Block Education Officer, and any subsequent actions will be based on the findings.”
The incident has drawn sharp reactions from various quarters. Hindu organisations like Bajrang Dal and ABVP have reportedly raised concerns about the influence of Muslim teachers in the school, accusing them of fostering a biased environment. However, several students, including some from the Hindu community, have come forward in defence of the Muslim teachers. “The Muslim teachers are very good and teach us well,” said a student who wished to remain anonymous.
Ayesha and Ahmed have denied the allegations, calling them baseless. “These accusations are completely false. We have never stopped anyone from applying tilak or asked about wearing caps,” Ayesha asserted. She suggested that the students, under pressure, were giving a communal twist to the issue due to strict academic expectations. “We will take this matter to court and are confident of getting justice,” she added.
Meanwhile, local villagers have also accused Mukhtar Ahmed of taking Muslim students to a nearby mosque for prayers during school hours. Ahmed, however, insists that the claims are a misrepresentation. “Most of the students here come from poor backgrounds. We are strict with them academically, and some have tried to mislead the authorities by giving a communal angle to the situation,” he said.
As the investigation continues, the incident has highlighted the ongoing challenges of maintaining communal harmony in educational institutions, particularly in regions where religious sensitivities run high. The outcome of the inquiry will be crucial in addressing the concerns of both the students and the wider community.
