Opposition parties on Thursday,11 October, sought to corner the BJP-led NDMC over the segregation of students into Hindu and Muslim sections at a municipal school in North Delhi, with the AAP alleging an "RSS connection" to the shocking act that led to suspension of the school's in-charge, reported PTI.
During the proceedings of the Standing Committee of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), the AAP and the Congress also demanded "stricter action" against the accused in-charge, saying "his mere suspension was not enough,” reported PTI.
"Action should be taken against other senior officials, too, who could be involved in it. It is a shocking case that goes against the harmonious culture of India, as we know it," said AAP leader Vikas Goel, according to PTI.
A mere school in-charge could not have possibly done this act without connivance of other senior officials. Also, I suspect the RSS’ involvement in it, since elections are due next year.Vikas Goel
Senior Congress leader Mukesh Goel said other NDMC-run schools should also be inspected to see if such a practice was being followed there and appropriate actions should be taken accordingly.
The school in-charge of a New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) school in Delhi's Wazirabad on Wednesday, 10 October, was suspended after being found guilty of segregating students on the basis of religion.
A preliminary investigation was carried out by the Delhi government after a news report alleged that Hindu and Muslim students were being separated into different sections.
The probe and the suspension followed the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) demanding a report on the allegations.
The Indian Express first reported that a section of teachers employed by the NDMC had alleged that a primary school in Wazirabad was segregating the Hindu and Muslim students.
NDMC Head Suspended as Education Dept Enquires Into Matter
Following the reports, the head of the NDMC-run school in north Delhi's Wazirabad was suspended for "segregating students", the commissioner of the civic body told PTI, while denouncing his action as "unimaginable" and "unpardonable".
Expressing similar concerns on the issue, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi and state Minister of Education, Manish Sisodia condemned the matter and said that an inquiry on the allegations will be carried forward.
“The matter is very serious. It may damage the social fabric of the country. I have asked the director of the Education Department to inquire into the matter, and submit the report by Friday.”Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister, Delhi told PTI.
Speaking to PTI, Madhup Vyas, North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) Commissioner said:
“I was apprised of the allegations of students being segregated by our officials. We decided to probe the accusations, and unfortunately they were found to be true. We have suspended the head of the school with immediate effect and initiated major penalty charge sheet against him,”Madhup Vyas, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Commissioner
The Commissioner also added that the conduct of the official was "bizarre" and "unpardonable" and "goes against the grain of our pluralistic society".
CB Singh Sehrawat, a teacher, was made in-charge of the school in July after its principal was transferred, NDMC's Director of Education H K Hem said, adding a three-member probe team was sent to investigate the allegations.
Social Divide Won't Be Tolerated: Mayor - North Delhi
Mayor of North Delhi Adesh Gupta while speaking to the media on the issue, reaffirmed that the school in-charge was "found to be guilty in preliminary investigation".
“Social divide on the basis of caste, community or religion would not be tolerated in the schools of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation. NDMC follows the spirit of the Constitution.Adesh Gupta, Mayor of North Delhi
“If any such divide is found to be in practice, it would be rectified immediately and strict action would be taken against those found guilty," the mayor added.
Municipal School Teachers Shocked
All municipal corporation-run schools in Delhi are primary schools. Teachers in other municipal schools expressed their shock over the reports.
"Schools, primary level no less, should be kept away from politics, and religion and caste matters should not be mentioned, for a balanced growth of a child. When a student enters a school, he or she is not a Hindu, Muslim or Sikh or Christian, but an Indian and that is how we should educate them," a teacher in a civic school in Karol Bagh told PTI.
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