Hyderabad school fires teacher who asked class 2 students to recite and memorize 'Kalma, Surah Fatiha'

A school in Hyderabad recently issued a stop-work order to a teacher who allegedly assigned religious homework to Class 2 students, ANI reported. The accused identified as Shaik Aisha Parveen was employed at Success – The School located in Sayeedabad. Following the incident, school authorities permanently disqualified the mother teacher from future employment opportunities at the successful group of educational institutions.

The letter, dated July 15, states: “You are further advised that you are permanently disqualified from applying for future employment with the Success Group of Educational Institutions.” The management took action after a formal complaint was lodged in Sayeedabad, ANI reported.

Outraged by the incident, BJP workers protested outside the school premises and were eventually detained by the Hyderabad police.

According to media reports, a Class 2 Hindu student was asked to recite and memorize Kalm and Surah Fatiha as homework. The school authorities initially called the incident a mistake, saying the child was in a section where Deeniyath (Islamic teachings) are usually taught to Muslim students.

A local report suggests that a teacher assigned a homework assignment of “Read Surah Fatiha” on July 15, which was mentioned in the school diary under the subject “Deeniyath”. This came four days after the “Read Kalma” homework was given, but was later deleted.

According to the management, most of the students in the school are Muslims who have to study the Deeniyath subject. However, this subject is not taught to non-Muslim students. Notably, “Kalma” is the Islamic statement of faith and testimony and “Surah Fatiha” is the first chapter of the Holy Quran.

Parents, political workers question the school management

When the parents complained and protested against the religious instruction, the management recognized that it was an inadvertent mistake and took action to dismiss the teacher’s services.

Independent MLA T Raja Singh Lodh reacted to the incident and asked Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to take strict action against schools forcing Hindu children to recite ‘Kalma’.

A former BJP MLA condemned the incident: “This is not the first such case in Telangana; there have been several similar incidents in the past. Yesterday, when the child’s parents went to the school and asked the management how they can pressure their Hindu child to recite Kalma, the school authorities had no answer,” IANS reported.

Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Thursday slammed the school management, accusing them of a “violent attack on Hindu culture”.

Describing the incidents as unacceptable, he said, “They have become arrogant and are violently attacking Hindu culture. Issuing an order asking students to recite Kalm and Surah Fatiha is unacceptable. Why are so-called secular organizations silent? The entire Hindu community should strongly condemn this,” ANI reported, citing a statement issued through his office.

Sanjay Kumar raised demands for immediate and strict action against the school management. Warning of such incidents spreading across the state if no action is taken, he said, “If this issue is ignored, there is a risk that such incidents could spread across Telangana,” he added.