Mathura Headmaster Suspended Following BJP Leader's Complaint Over 'Namaz' and National Anthem Allegations
A headmaster of a government primary school in Mathura has been suspended after a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader filed a complaint accusing him of encouraging students to offer namaz and failing to ensure the singing of the national anthem. The 52-year-old teacher, Jaan Mohammad, has strongly denied these allegations, stating that no inquiry was conducted before his suspension.
Details of the Suspension and Denial
Jaan Mohammad, who has been posted at the primary school in Naujheel since 2007, received information about his suspension on January 31. He expressed shock and disbelief, saying, "I've been working here for many years, and no one has ever made such allegations against me." According to him, the suspension was imposed without any prior verification or inquiry, raising questions about the procedural fairness in this case.
Complaint by BJP Leader and Official Response
The complaint was lodged by Durgesh Kumar, also known as Pradhan, who serves as the BJP's Bajna Mandal Adhyaksh in Mathura and is a former village pradhan. Durgesh claimed that he submitted the complaint to the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) of Mathura, Ratan Kirti, on January 30, based on repeated grievances from local residents.
Ratan Kirti confirmed that a two-member committee has been constituted to investigate the matter, and Mohammad was suspended on January 31 following the complaint. She emphasized that the suspension is a preliminary step pending the inquiry's outcome.
Allegations and Counterclaims
Durgesh alleged that residents reported the headmaster was misleading students by encouraging namaz, not ensuring the national anthem was sung daily, and showing disrespect towards deities. He further claimed that preachers frequently visited the school, interacting with students and their families, which he viewed as influencing children on religious lines.
However, Durgesh clarified that he has no personal dispute with the headmaster and has never met him. He stated, "I filed the complaint solely on the basis of complaints received from local residents. I only raised the issue in the interest of the children and the school."
School Background and Context
The primary school is located in Naujheel town, an area with a mixed population, and is situated near the local police station and an intermediate college. It has a total staff strength of eight members and 235 students. The headmaster denied ever meeting or interacting with Durgesh, adding to the controversy's complexity.
Nirbhay Pandey, BJP's Mathura district president, confirmed Durgesh's position within the party, lending credibility to the complaint's source. This incident highlights ongoing tensions in educational settings regarding religious practices and national symbols, sparking debates on due process and community influence in school administration.
