Ahmedabad: ABVP cadres and those from Hindu organizations rushed to Kalorex Future School in the Ghatlodia area today over the issue of involving Hindu students in the school’s namaz event. The ABVP members entered the principal’s office, chanted Hanuman Chalisa, and recited Ramdhun. Subsequently, the school issued a written apology on its letterhead, acknowledging the Islamic Namaz program and expressing regret for hurting the sentiments of parents. However, the situation escalated, and the mob began shouting ‘Jay Shri Ram’ slogans while physically assaulting the music teacher, which was captured on video. A team from Ghatlodia Police also rushed to the school following this row.

The Ahmedabad District Education Officer issued a show-cause notice to the school, expressing concern that the viral video, which hurt religious sentiments, could negatively affect children’s psychological well-being. The school was instructed to provide a written explanation by 5 pm on the same day.

Education Minister Kuber Dindor emphasized the importance of prioritizing actual education over religious education at Kalorex School. He discussed the matter with the District Education Officer and ordered the necessary action.

गुजरात के कर्णावती में हिंदू विस्तार घटलोड़ियामें आयी स्कूल “केलोरेक्स फ्यूचर स्कूल” में हिंदू बच्चो को पढ़ाई में नमाज़ पढ़ाना और इबादत करना सिखाया जा रहा है।
गुजरात की जनता आदरणीय मुख्यमंत्री श्री @Bhupendrapbjp जी से विनती करती है कि कृपया कठोर से कठोर कारवाई इस स्कूल पर करे,… pic.twitter.com/s4F5In8QCg

— Kajal HINDUsthani (@kajal_jaihind) October 3, 2023

In the video footage, an individual suddenly runs and slaps the teacher on the head, prompting others to join in assaulting the teacher. Despite the teacher’s attempts to escape, the mob surrounds and continues to attack him. Eventually, the police rescue the teacher and escort him to a classroom.

The school’s principal, Nirali Dagli, clarified that the incident was not premeditated but occurred due to the admission of a Muslim student through the Right to Education (RTE) program. The other students present were merely acting and did not engage in actual Namaz. Nonetheless, she extended her apologies if anyone’s sentiments were hurt and confirmed that the school had issued an apology letter and deleted the video.

The apology letter from the school reads as follows:

Subject: Apology letter regarding Eid celebration in school

We wish to inform you that on Friday, September 29, 2023, our Kalorex school organized a public prayer program for students, during which students were taught how to perform namaaz. After this came to the attention of Hindu organizations and parents, representatives from various Hindu organizations, including the International Hindu Parishad (AHP), Rashtriya Bajrang Dal (RBD), and local RSS leaders, expressed concern and discussed the seriousness of the matter with the school management. Through this letter, we offer our sincere apology and assure you that we will take measures to avoid such mistakes in the future. We apologize to all the parents of the school.

The incident also involved the placement of an anti-Hindu sticker on the school principal’s chair. The crowd protested in the principal’s office, demanded her resignation, and threatened to continue protesting until she stepped down. Additionally, International Bajrang Dal (led by Dr. Pravin Togadiya) conducted a Ramdhun program in the school.

A lady teacher of the school told media persons that only one student in Namaz event was Muslim and he had been admitted through RTE. He was only performing actual namaz, while the Hindu students with him were merely doing acting. This teacher further stated that the parents of Hindu students had dressed their children as Muslims as per the requirement of this brief event.

Parents expressed their concerns, and asked why Namaz was being taught in Hindu schools when Madrasas did not teach ‘Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu.’ Another parent mentioned that they would be withdrawing their child from the school due to the incident and many other things that are going on in the school but yet not exposed. DeshGujarat