In Meerut, a government primary school principal, Mohammed Iqbal Khan, was suspended and arrested following a heated protest by a student’s family and local Hindu groups. The protests erupted after allegations surfaced that Khan had deliberately served non-vegetarian food to a student, a violation of the family’s religious beliefs.
The controversy began when a class 3 student alleged that Khan gave him Rs 100, instructing him to buy meat, which Khan then offered to the student. When the student refused, Khan allegedly offered the meat to the student’s younger brother. The boys informed their family, who, outraged by the incident, reported it to the authorities.
Local Hindu outfits and the student’s family staged protests both at the school and outside the police station, demanding strict action against Khan. Responding to the public outcry, the police registered an FIR against Khan under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings.
The Block Education Officer, Shyam Mohan Asthana, was dispatched to the school to conduct an initial investigation. According to Asthana, preliminary findings indicated that the principal appeared guilty of the charges. Consequently, Khan was suspended from his duties, pending a detailed investigation by Block Education Officer Pradeep Kumar.
Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Asha Chowdhury confirmed the suspension and noted that the matter is being taken very seriously. She assured that a thorough probe would be conducted to determine the full extent of the incident. The case has sparked widespread concern in the community, highlighting tensions over religious sensitivities in schools.
Meanwhile, local authorities are urging calm, emphasizing that the investigation will be conducted fairly and impartially. The incident has drawn attention to the importance of cultural and religious respect in educational institutions, with calls for stricter guidelines to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Source: PTI
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