New Delhi: A government school teacher in UP’s Aligarh district has been suspended after he allegedly objected to the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ during the students’ morning assembly here.
Shamsul Hasan, who works at the Government Higher Secondary School in Shahpur Qutub area, raised an objection when the ‘Vande Mataram’ song was introduced following the National Anthem in the morning assembly, PTI quoted District Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Rakesh Kumar Singh as saying.
The school authorities lodged a written complaint against the teacher following which an Education department officer visited the school and recorded statements from the staff.
Singh said the inquiry revealed Hasan had also “misbehaved” with colleagues during the argument.
School principal Sushma Rani told officials that Hasan had claimed singing ‘Vande Mataram’ was against the tenets of his religion. Several other teachers confirmed that Hasan expressed concern some Muslim families may object to the song being sung in school.
BSA ordered Hasan’s suspension for flouting official directives and “hurting religious sentiments.”
The teacher, however, denied misbehaving with colleagues but admitted to questioning the new practice.
“Since the song was being introduced, I only suggested that the school should first consult families who may have reservations before implementing it,” he said.
The state’s Education department is continuing the probe.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has made the singing of Vande Mataram mandatory in all schools and educational institutions across the state, as he feels it would instil patriotism and pride among the youth.
Yogi said those who oppose the national song are, in effect, “opposing Mother India.”
