Hyderabad, 16 July
Hyderabad school sacks teacher after row over Surah Fatiha homework
A private school in Hyderabad‘s Old City has dismissed a teacher after the parents of a Class 2 Hindu student alleged that their child was assigned Islamic religious verses, including Surah Fatiha and the Kalma, as homework. The incident has sparked public debate, political reactions, and protests, with the student’s family demanding strict action against the school administration. -Hyderabad school sacks teacher after row over Surah Fatiha homework
The incident occurred at Success, The School, located in Sayeedabad, where the student reportedly received homework related to “Deeniyath”, an Islamic studies subject taught to Muslim students. Following the controversy, the Hyderabad School Sacks Teacher involved, describing the incident as an inadvertent mistake.
Homework Entry Sparks Controversy; Hyderabad school sacks teacher after row over Surah Fatiha homework
According to the student’s parents, the school diary dated July 15 carried an instruction under the subject “Deeniyath” asking the child to “Read Surah Fatiha.” Earlier, on July 11, the diary had another entry directing the student to “Read Kalima.” However, that instruction was later struck off, reportedly after the teacher realised the subject did not apply to a non-Muslim student.
The parents questioned why their child had been assigned religious lessons unrelated to their faith and raised the matter with the school authorities.
Following the complaint, the Hyderabad School Sacks Teacher, identified as Shaik Aisha Parveen, and permanently barred her from seeking employment at any institution run by the Success Group of Educational Institutions.
School Calls It an Inadvertent Mistake
The school management clarified that nearly all students enrolled at the institution are Muslims and are taught Deeniyath, or Islamic studies, as part of their curriculum. However, it stated that the subject is not intended for non-Muslim students.
According to the management, the homework was assigned due to an unintentional error by the teacher and was not part of any policy to teach religious studies to students of other faiths.
Despite calling it a mistake, the management decided to terminate the teacher’s services in response to the parents’ concerns.
Family Demands Accountability
The student’s family has maintained that schools should focus on academic education while respecting the religious beliefs of every student.
The child’s aunt, Supritha Goud, alleged that when the family initially approached the school, the principal informed them that the exercise was mandatory for all students. Later, another staff member reportedly clarified that the diary entry had been made by mistake.
The family has demanded action not only against the teacher but also against the school administration, arguing that such incidents should not occur in educational institutions.
Political Leaders React
The issue quickly attracted political attention after Independent MLA T. Raja Singh criticised the incident, calling it “deeply shameful.” He alleged that similar incidents had occurred in the past and urged the Telangana government to take action against schools that allegedly compel non-Muslim students to recite Islamic prayers.
Raja Singh also questioned the silence of Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi and called on Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to intervene in the matter.
Meanwhile, BJP leader T.R. Srinivas demanded a police investigation, alleging that assigning Quranic verses to a non-Muslim student raised serious concerns. He also sought a statement from the State Education Department regarding the incident.
Religious leader Mahamandaleshwar Vishnu Das also expressed concern and called for an inquiry.
BJP Protest and Police Detentions
On Thursday, July 16, BJP leaders and party workers staged a protest outside the school, demanding strict action against the institution.
Police detained BJP leader Andela Sriramulu Yadav along with several supporters during the protest. Yadav demanded that the school be shut down and the principal removed, alleging serious misconduct by the management.
Advocate and BJP leader Karuna Sagar was also detained after arriving at the school. He questioned why no FIR had been registered and demanded legal action against the principal, alleging that students were being forced to study Quranic verses.
Investigation Awaits Further Action
The Hyderabad School Sacks Teacher controversy has intensified discussions about religious instruction in educational institutions and the need to safeguard the rights of students belonging to different faiths. While the school has maintained that the incident resulted from human error and has taken disciplinary action against the teacher, the student’s family continues to seek accountability from the management.
The matter has now become a subject of public and political attention, with demands for an official inquiry and greater clarity on policies governing religious education in private schools across Telangana.