UP: Hathras School Principal Suspended Over Claims Of Forcing Students To Offer Namaz, Investigation Underway

The principal of a private school in Hathras, Sonia McPherson, has been suspended a day after parents protested outside the school for allegedly compelling students to perform namaz.

The demonstration was headed by self-proclaimed Hindu leader Deepak Sharma. However, the school management has refuted the allegations.

Ashutosh Kumar, SDM of Hathras, confirmed the suspension and stated that an investigation is currently underway.

District Magistrate Archana Verma initiated an inquiry against the school administration of BLS International School, Aligarh Road, Hathras. This follows complaints from parents that their children were being taught Namaz, as mentioned in an official order from the DM's office.

The order states the seriousness of the issue and calls for an immediate investigation to resolve the matter.

The committee has been assigned to the deputy district collector and the school inspector of Hathras district. They have been instructed to investigate the matter and submit a report within five days.

Protests were organized on Wednesday by a group of parents and right-wing leaders outside the BLS International School. The demonstrators accused the teachers and principal of compelling students to perform namaz and wear burqa while praying within the school premises.

However, the school denied any wrongdoing and claimed event was cultural celebration for World Heritage Day and Eid.

“A special assembly was organised on 18 April. For the all-round development of the students, music, dance and drama skits were organised to make them aware of Indian festivals… The assembly was on the theme of World Heritage Day and Eid.

"Students enacted roles of Shivaji Maharaj, Fatima Sheikh, Symbol of Democracy, Cathedral Church, Taj Mahal, and Elephanta Caves to make everyone aware of the heritage and great personalities…they performed and sang…” the school management said in a statement, reported The Indian Express.

“But some people tried to mislead by giving the name of this song as ‘Fatiha’ or ‘Namaz’ and spread false rumours. It is not at all the same… The school completely denies this. All this was done under a conspiracy by some people to tarnish the image of the school. Nothing like this had happened in the school. It was a normal program organised in the special assembly of the school.

"The management has suspended principal Sonia McPherson from the post with immediate effect. An internal committee of the school and the administrative committee have been constituted… which will submit their investigation report regarding the case,” it added.

According to the report, posters with messages such as 'I am not secular,' 'BLS Principal, Chairman, and Staff Apologise,' and 'Make kids read Hanuman Chalisa, Save Hindu Religion' were affixed to the school's entrance gates, during the protest on Wednesday.