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.