SAMBHAL | May 12, 2026
In Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district, a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against a headmaster and several Muslim teachers of a local government school over allegations of conducting unauthorised "religious activities" on the campus. The police action, however, has been met with strong resistance from the students of the School, who have categorically refuted the claims made by the complainants.
The controversy erupted earlier this week after local activists approached the police and the district education department, alleging that the school administration was instructing students to participate in Islamic prayers and religious activities during school hours. Based on the complaint, the local police registered a case against the headmaster and the implicated teaching staff under relevant sections.
According to the complaint, the accused teachers were allegedly promoting religious practices that violated the secular code of conduct mandated for state-run educational institutions. The complainants demanded immediate suspension and strict legal action against the accused staff members.
However, the narrative took a sharp turn when the students of the government school stepped forward in defense of their teachers. Refuting the allegations entirely, several students spoke to local media and stated that no such religious activities or forced prayers ever took place inside the school premises.
"We only attend our regular classes, and the morning assembly is conducted exactly as per the standard government guidelines. Nobody has ever forced us to participate in any religious activities, namaz, or specific prayers," a senior student of the school stated, dismissing the allegations as baseless. Other students echoed this sentiment, adding that the teachers have always maintained a strictly academic environment.
The Sambhal police have stated that a comprehensive investigation is currently underway to ascertain the actual facts of the matter. "An FIR has been lodged based on the formal complaint received. We are currently recording statements from all parties involved, which crucially includes the students, the accused teachers, and the complainants. Further legal action will be taken solely based on the evidence gathered during the probe," a senior police official in Sambhal said.
Meanwhile, the district education department has initiated a parallel internal inquiry. The Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) of Sambhal has formed a fact-finding committee to look into the matter, visit the school, and submit a detailed report. Education officials stated that any departmental action against the headmaster or the teachers would be strictly contingent upon the factual findings of this committee.
The incident highlights a growing pattern in the region, where school administrations and teachers have occasionally faced police complaints over alleged religious activities on campus. Civil society members have raised concerns over the immediate filing of FIRs before verifying the ground realities and recording the testimonies of the enrolled students.