Telangana: NHRC seeks report over 'compulsory' Islamic lessons at Hyderabad college
New Delhi, July 16
The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Telangana School Education Department, the Hyderabad District Magistrate, and the Commissioner of Police over allegations that a private junior college in Hyderabad made Islamic religious lessons and prayers compulsory for students through official school diaries.
A Bench presided over by NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo took cognisance of a complaint alleging that "Success the Junior College" in Hyderabad's Saidabad had been assigning Islamic religious lessons and prayers as compulsory homework to students through official school diaries.
According to the complaint, when parents questioned the school authorities, the management allegedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation and described the entries as a mistake despite similar instructions appearing repeatedly.
The complainant contended that imposing religious instruction in a secular educational institution violates children's rights as well as the secular character of education.
The complainant sought the NHRC's intervention and requested an inquiry into the matter, appropriate action against the school management, and directions to prevent compulsory religious instruction in educational institutions.
Observing that the allegations, if true, prima facie indicate violations of the human rights of the victims, the apex rights body took cognisance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
The NHRC directed its registry to issue notices to the Director of School Education, Government of Telangana, the District Magistrate, and the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, directing them to inquire into the allegations and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks for its perusal.
The apex human rights body has also directed the authorities to forward a copy of the ATR to it through email.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is deeply disturbing! A college making Islamic lessons compulsory in a secular country like India? What about Hindu, Christian, or Sikh students? The school management should face strict action. NHRC is doing the right thing by probing. 👏
I'm from the US but I have friends in Hyderabad who told me about this. It's shocking that a private college would do this in a multi-faith nation. Even here, public schools don't impose religion. Glad the NHRC is taking it seriously. Secularism matters everywhere.
As a parent, this is a nightmare. My child is in a similar private college and I would be furious if this happened. Education should be about knowledge, not religious indoctrination. The school's excuse that it was a 'mistake' is laughable. NHRC must ensure this never repeats.
I think we need to look at this from both sides. While forcing any religion is wrong, India has always respected all faiths. Maybe the school was trying to promote understanding but went about it the wrong way. However, the NHRC is right to investigate. Let's not jump to conclusions before the report comes.
From an outsider's perspective, this seems like a clear violation of secular norms. India's education system has always been a model for diversity. The NHRC's swift action is commendable. Let's hope the authorities act with similar urgency.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.