Bongaigaon school headmaster suspended after students made to recite Quran

A controversy erupted in Assam after Lakhimpur MLA Manab Deka alleged that students of a government school in Bongaigaon were being made to recite verses from the Quran instead of participating in daily morning prayers. 

Sharing his concern on social media, Deka questioned the “influence” under which children were compelled to do so.

Taking note of the matter, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the headmaster of the school has been placed under suspension. “We will take all steps to prevent any kind of radicalisation in our schools,” the Chief Minister said.

The Assam government has suspended the in-charge head teacher of 619 No. Pachim Bhadragaon LP School in Bongaigaon district, Jehirul Islam, following allegations of conducting religious activities during school assemblies in violation of Education Department norms.

According to a preliminary inquiry report submitted by the District Commissioner of Bongaigaon to the Chief Minister’s Office, the teacher had supervised the recitation of sloka, Surah Fateha, Sankalpa, Shanti Mantra and other religious activities during morning assemblies. The report stated that these practices were contrary to the guidelines prescribed by the Education Department, which mandate a secular format for school assemblies.

The Education Department termed the conduct as a gross violation of norms and, pending departmental proceedings, placed Islam under suspension with immediate effect under the Assam Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1964.

During the suspension, the teacher will be entitled to subsistence allowance but is barred from leaving headquarters or engaging in any other profession without prior approval from higher authorities.

The incident has sparked a heated debate in the state over religious practices in educational institutions, with the government asserting that it will ensure strict adherence to guidelines for school assemblies.

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