In another strange decision of the a panchayat which forced a Muslim teacher to quit the school and fined Rs 5 lakh for organising a special assembly marking Eid.
According to reports, the panchayat also ordered Green Dales Public School to remove Muslim staff and students, make its girl students switch to salwar kameez, and also banned it from hiking fees for two years.
The residents of Mewat district, accused the school management of spreading Islam and forcing its students, mostly Hindus, to follow Islamic rituals during the event on July 6. A mob armed with sticks and bricks was at the school’s gates the day after the assembly protesting against the celebration.
The panchayat order has forced the Muslim teacher to quit her job and move to Delhi, said school manager Hema Sharma.
The police and the local MLA, however, said the panchayat’s diktat held no meaning as Tauru is governed by a municipal committee. “No panchayat is recognised by the government. The local body does not support any activity by the group,” said tehsildar Poonam Babbar.
The police said the area was peaceful.
However one of the panchayat member accused the school of converting Hindu children. “They were made to offer namaz and recite verses from the Quran. How else can you explain their intention?” said Tek Chand Saini, a member of the panchayat. “The parents came to us and we, the elders, confronted the school authorities.”
While the school is denying any such allegation, and said, “the children sang, performed plays and prayed. We just wanted them to know and respect each other’s religions.”
“An issue over offering namaz did arise but it was sorted out,” said deputy commissioner Mani Ram Sharma and there is no communal tension in the area.”
Several parents and members of right-wing groups who are backing the school said a rumour was blown out of proportion.
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