A private school in Ahmedabad came under scrutiny after allegedly asking Hindu students to offer namaz as part of an awareness program. The incident has sparked protests by right-wing Hindu activists and prompted the state government to order an investigation.
The program, held at Kalorex Future School in Ahmedabad’s Ghatlodia area on September 29, aimed to educate students about different religious practices. The school clarified that no student was forced to offer namaz and expressed apologies for any misunderstandings.
Videos of the event showed a teacher being attacked by protesters from organizations such as Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Bajrang Dal. The Minister of State for Primary, Secondary, and Adult Education, Praful Pansheriya, criticized the program, stating that it aimed to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of the state.
The Gujarat ABVP’s media coordinator, Meet Bhavsar, stated that Hindu students were forced to participate in the activity but that the school management had apologized and promised not to organize similar activities in the future. Videos circulating online also showed angry parents and activists assaulting a teacher who was playing a musical instrument during the event.
The school, in its apology, emphasized that it would be more cautious in the future. According to Principal Nirali Dagli, it is a tradition of the school to familiarize students with different religions and their practices before festivals. No student was compelled to participate in the namaz activity, and those who did had obtained consent from their parents.
The investigation aims to determine the motivation behind organizing such a program and take appropriate action against any wrongdoing. The school’s Facebook page had previously featured a video of a primary section student offering namaz, but it has since been removed.
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