A teacher employed by the Delhi government's education department has been suspended with immediate effect. The action follows allegations that the educator spread misleading information regarding a recent official circular about the appointment of nodal officers for managing stray dogs.
Minister's Stern Warning on Misinformation
Delhi's Education Minister, Ashish Sood, addressed the controversy, clarifying the government's stance. He affirmed that teachers, like all citizens, possess the democratic right to protest or voice their demands against government policies. However, he drew a firm line at the circulation of false information. Sood stated that abandoning official duties, using inappropriate language against the government in a political context, and spreading incorrect details would inevitably lead to disciplinary measures.
"If a teacher abandons official duty, uses inappropriate language against govt in a political context and circulates incorrect information, disciplinary action is inevitable. Anyone spreading fake news will face consequences," Sood emphasised.
Legal Action and Political Crossfire
The Directorate of Education (DoE) issued the suspension order against the trained graduate teacher. Subsequently, on Friday, Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) based on a complaint filed by the DoE concerning the alleged misinformation shared on social media about the circular.
The FIR was registered under Sections 353 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against unknown persons.
The suspension triggered a sharp political reaction. AAP's Delhi unit chief, Saurabh Bharadwaj, criticised the move on social media platform X. He argued that instead of withdrawing the controversial order related to stray dogs, the government chose to suspend the teacher for criticising it. Bharadwaj labelled the action as "anti-education" and an insult to teachers.
Accusations of "Shoot-and-Scoot" Politics
Minister Ashish Sood launched a counter-offensive against the Aam Aadmi Party. He accused AAP functionaries of engaging in "shoot-and-scoot" politics and playing the victim card by propagating a "false narrative." Sood specifically challenged claims that the circular mentioned "counting dogs," reading out the document to assert its actual content.
"Delhi govt is fully committed to ensuring the safety of school campuses. In contrast, AAP functionaries are spreading false propaganda and fake news against Delhi govt. Strict legal action will be taken against such people and social media handles, and the process has already begun," Sood declared. He demanded a public apology from AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that Kejriwal himself was spreading misinformation.
In his response, Bharadwaj accused the BJP government of selective action, claiming it had failed to act against a private school despite official recommendations. He also pointed to an incident where a student functionary of the ABVP allegedly slapped a professor and circulated the video online, questioning why no action was taken in that case. "AAP is not scared of these frivolous cases," Bharadwaj posted.
