One more religious fight in schools, Mathura principal suspended

One more religious dispute has erupted in a government school, this time in Naujheel block, Mathura, where the principal of a primary school, Jan Mohammad , was suspended for allegedly asking students to offer namaz and failing to ensure the national anthem was sung .

The complaint, lodged on January 30 by Durgesh Chauhan , BJP Naujheel block president, said parents had raised concerns that students were being asked to pray during school hours. Allegedly, the school had also neglected to play the national anthem .

Jan Mohammad defended himself, claiming that any religious activity in the school was voluntary and that he had not forced any student . However, officials noted that similar complaints had been raised against the school in the past .

The Basic Education Department, citing rules that government schools must remain secular and cannot conduct religious activities, suspended the principal and constituted an inquiry committee to investigate. The committee has been directed to submit its report at the earliest, and further action will follow its findings.

This incident is the latest in a string of religion-related controversies in schools , raising concerns over the secular nature of public education and adherence to government regulations .