School in charge suspended for dividing Hindu-Muslim students into different sections

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) Wednesday suspended an in charge of its school over "segregation" of Hindu and Muslims students into different sections as the Delhi government ordered a probe and HRD Ministry sought a report in this matter.

A section of teachers employed by the NDMC had alleged that a primary school in Wazirabad was segregating Hindu and Muslim students in different sections.

The BJP-led NDMC in its initial probe found the allegations to be true and ordered the suspension of the school in-charge while denouncing the step as unimaginable" and "unpardonable".

"I was apprised of the allegations by our officials. We decided to probe the accusations, and unfortunately, they were found to be true. We have suspended the head of the school with immediate effect and initiated major penalty chargesheet against him," NDMC Commissioner Madhup Vyas told PTI.

The commissioner described the incident as "bizarre" and "unpardonable", saying it went against the grain of pluralistic society.

Mayor of North Delhi Adesh Gupta said the school in-charge was "found to be guilty in the preliminary investigation".

The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights also issued a notice to the head of school run by the NDMC, asking them the reason for shuffling students on the basis of their religion.

The commission said such a segregation could have an adverse effect on holistic learning and development of students and also negatively impact the social fabric of the country.

"The matter is very serious. It may damage the social fabric of the country. This is a plot against the Constitution. I have asked the director of the Education Department to inquire into the matter and submit the report by Friday," Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.

HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters, "We haven't received any complaint yet but have read about it in media reports. I have asked for a report".

H K Hem, the director of education said, the school has about 700 students and boys outnumber girls.

The primary school falls in Wazirabad area of north Delhi and administered by the NDMC. The area comes under the Civil Lines Zone of the civic body.

All municipal corporation-run schools in Delhi are primary schools. Teachers in other municipal schools expressed their shock over the reports.

"Schools, a primary level no less, should be kept away from politics, and religion and caste matters should not be mentioned, for a balanced growth of a child. When a student enters a school, he or she is not a Hindu, Muslim or Sikh or Christian, but an Indian and that is how we should educate them," a teacher in a civic school in Karol Bagh said, on condition of anonymity.

"If the segregation is being done there, then it is condemnable, and we strongly disapprove of it. Schools should unite and not divide people, and these children are such impressionable minds, it will not bode well for their growth," he said.

(With inputs from agencies.)