Poster with Quran verse on govt school's wall sparks controversy in Sambhal
VHP and Bjarang Dal workers staged a protest, alleging that the school was being used to promote religious activities. An official investigation has been launched on the basis of a complaint received by the authorities.
A major controversy erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal after a poster, allegedly carrying a verse from the Quran, was found displayed on the wall of a government school. The incident led to protests by Hindu outfits.
The protestors claimed that the school was being used to promote religious activities. An official investigation has been launched on the basis of a complaint received by the authorities.
The school's principal, Pushpa Rani, and a teacher named Mohammad Nazim have been suspended, officials said. This came after activists linked to the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) reached the school on Friday and raised the matter.
They staged a protest, alleging that several posters with Quranic verses were being put up inside the school and that photographs of national leaders and other prominent icons were kept hanging with ropes.
Following the uproar, portraits of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were installed in the principal's office.
Speaking to India Today TV, Pushpa Rani said that she had flagged the controversial poster right after getting posted at the school. However, Nadim, she claimed, did not heed her concerns.
She alleged that the matter was dropped after she was threatened with dire consequences. The protesting groups have lodged a complaint with the police and demanded legal action.
On being asked about any potential police action, District Basic Education Officer Alka Sharma said that her department is taking all necessary action.
Interestingly, the entire episode took place in a village that falls under the Assembly constituency of Gulab Devi, UP's Minister of State (Independent) for Secondary Education.
A major controversy erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal after a poster, allegedly carrying a verse from the Quran, was found displayed on the wall of a government school. The incident led to protests by Hindu outfits.
The protestors claimed that the school was being used to promote religious activities. An official investigation has been launched on the basis of a complaint received by the authorities.
The school's principal, Pushpa Rani, and a teacher named Mohammad Nazim have been suspended, officials said. This came after activists linked to the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) reached the school on Friday and raised the matter.
They staged a protest, alleging that several posters with Quranic verses were being put up inside the school and that photographs of national leaders and other prominent icons were kept hanging with ropes.
Following the uproar, portraits of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were installed in the principal's office.
Speaking to India Today TV, Pushpa Rani said that she had flagged the controversial poster right after getting posted at the school. However, Nadim, she claimed, did not heed her concerns.
She alleged that the matter was dropped after she was threatened with dire consequences. The protesting groups have lodged a complaint with the police and demanded legal action.
On being asked about any potential police action, District Basic Education Officer Alka Sharma said that her department is taking all necessary action.
Interestingly, the entire episode took place in a village that falls under the Assembly constituency of Gulab Devi, UP's Minister of State (Independent) for Secondary Education.