Hyderabad Teacher Booked After Religious Homework Assignment Sparks Controversy

A teacher at a private school in Hyderabad has been booked following allegations that a Hindu student was assigned Islamic religious content as homework, triggering a controversy that has drawn political and public attention.

According to the police, an FIR was registered against the teacher and others based on a complaint filed by the six-year-old student's aunt. The case has been filed under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings, and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act relating to cruelty towards children.

The controversy stems from an incident on July 15, when a teacher allegedly instructed all students of a Class II section to learn and recite the Kalma as part of their homework. Police said the class had 25 students, of whom only one was a Hindu child.

Charminar Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police Khare Kiran Prabhakar said assigning religious recitations to all students was contrary to both educational norms and the school's own regulations. He noted that such content should not be imposed on students irrespective of their personal beliefs.

The issue came to light after the child's aunt noticed references to Islamic religious teachings written as homework in the boy's school diary. She subsequently approached the school seeking an explanation. According to her complaint, the school principal informed her that the assignment was mandatory for all students in the class. She objected, arguing that religious instruction, if offered at all, should be voluntary and not imposed on children from different faith backgrounds.

As the controversy escalated, the school management reportedly terminated the services of the teacher involved.

The incident has also sparked sharp political reactions. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar criticised the school administration and demanded stringent action. Describing the episode as an infringement on religious freedom, he questioned the silence of organisations that often speak on issues of secularism and urged the Telangana government to take immediate action against the institution.

In a separate reaction, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ravinuthala Shashidhar called for the cancellation of the school's recognition, alleging that the incident violated the rights of students and parents.

The case is currently under investigation, and police are examining the circumstances under which the assignment was given. Meanwhile, the episode has become a subject of intense debate in Hyderabad, with discussions centring on the role of religious content in schools and the balance between education and freedom of belief.