School headmaster transferred for making students recite Urdu poem in Uttar Pradesh

The headmaster of a primary school in Uttar Pradesh, who was suspended for making students recite an Urdu poem by Muhammad Iqbal, has been transfered on humanitarian grounds, an official said.

Furqan Ali, who was the headmaster at the Gyaspur 2 primary school in Bisalpur area, has been transferred to another primary school in same area on humanitarian grounds after a report from the block education officer that he is specially abled, Swarup said.

"Due to non-receipt of a probe report by the Amaria block education officer, Furqan Ali has been let off with a strong and final warning," the basic education department official said, as per PTI.

Furqan Ali was suspended after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) alleged that he was forcing students, mostly belonging to the majority community, to recite the prayer, Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua, which the VHP said was recited at madrasas.

The headmaster had regarded his suspension unjustified and claimed that some people were trying to give communal angle to the matter. Muhammad Iqbal also put down Sare Jahan se Accha.

No one had any objection over it, but the VHP was politicising the matter, Ali had claimed.

Students of the primary school objected the move, reported Indian Express. The students said that they will not go to school unless their headmaster was allowed to return. They claimed that whatever happened to Ali was wrong and unfair.

They also stated that the poem Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua was on unity. Few parents also stated that the students liked their headmaster and praised him often.

According to the Indian Express, teachers stated that the attendance had lowered at the institution after Ali’s suspension.

Basic Education Minister Satish Chandra Dwivedi said to the Indian Express that the headmasters suspension would be canceled soon as he has asked for a report from the Education Directorate.

The headmaster mentioned that he constructed the UP school brick by brick and now, a smart class is also held.

BEO Dwiwedi also quipped the same and stated that Ali had purchased a projector of Rs 65,000 to begin the smart class and paid from his own pocket to better the school.

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