Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Feb 13: A lady teacher of Vidyasagar Public school in the city under suspension after some Muslim students of her class accused her of saying not to wear Hijab in the class, has a different story to narrate.

The parents of the students who had visited the school had a verbal argument and accused the school management of harassing their wards on the issue of Hijab.

It is said that the accused teacher Shashikala wrote on blackboard that Hijab cannot be worn inside the classroom. The Chandra Layout police who got information of the verbal duel between parents and school administration rushed to the spot.

However, the accused teacher denies the says that she has not spoken anything about Hijab. Education officer Bailanjanappa held discussion with the accused teacher and said, “I have taken information from teacher Shashikala about the incident. She has not made any mention about Hijab.”

It is said that the writing against wearing Hijab on the blackboard had the Muslim students of the class got confused. They conveyed the same to their parents who created an issue out of it.

Suspended teacher Shashikala said, “The accusation on me is absolutely false. I have not spoken or written anything about Hijab. I wrote the names of the students who were making lots of noise on the board. I wrote just KLS, names of the students on the black board in the class.”

Parents of the Muslim students of concerned class have registered a complaint in Chandra Layout police station against the teacher. The school administration has kept the teacher under suspension.

Teacher falsely implicated, clarifies school

Meanwhile, the school administration committee of the Vidyasagar Public school has given a clarification It says in a communique, “Vidyasagar school is serving in the education sector in city for the past 22 years. Our intention is to provide education to children of all communities. We provide free textbooks, uniform and shoes to the students who are financially poor. No one should get deprived of good education. This is the motto of our school."

“Unfortunately, on February 12, some discussion has happened between teacher Shashikala and some Muslim students. Later the students misunderstood the behaviour of the teacher and informed the matter to their parents. The situation boiled into a controversy due to the involvement of parents of the said students."

The committee has categorically denied that there was any discussion in the classroom with regard to Hijab or any other religious matter. "Some vested interests have blown the matter out of proportion in a bid to destroy communal harmony and reputation of our school. School administrative committee vehemently condemns such attempts. We will have a discussion with both teacher Shashikala and the students concerned who ahve accused her of certain issue. If anyone is found guilty we will take stringent action.”

• High drama at Bengaluru school, as parents allege bias against Muslim students