A woman teacher at the Government Urdu Higher Primary School in Shivamogga, Karnataka, has been transferred following allegations that she told Muslim students in her class to “go to Pakistan.” The incident reportedly occurred on August 30.
The teacher in question, identified as Manjula Devi, was responsible for teaching Kannada at the school located in Tipu Nagar. Block Education Officer (BEO) Nagaraj P confirmed that her transfer came after a departmental inquiry, The New Indian Express reported.
According to BEO Nagaraj P, students and parents claimed that when the students disrupted her teaching and failed to heed her instructions, she attempted to discipline them physically. During the altercation, one of the students invoked the name of Allah, prompting the teacher to allegedly say, “go to Pakistan.” The incident gained widespread attention after the complaint became viral, leading the BEO to conduct an official investigation.
“I visited the school and conducted the inquiry,” stated BEO Nagaraj P. He also interviewed the students involved, while parents simultaneously lodged complaints with the school headmaster. “The headmaster informed me that he learned of the incident only after the parents raised the complaint. The Kannada teacher explained to me that the students were creating a disturbance and not showing her respect, which is why she scolded them. However, she denied telling the students to go to Pakistan,” he added.
Recognizing the sensitivity of the issue and its viral nature, BEO Nagaraj P decided to transfer the teacher from the school. He elaborated, “I also conducted a departmental inquiry and submitted a report to the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) in addition to informing the District Collector (DC).”
The incident has sparked discussions and debates among parents, students, and the local community. The actions taken by the education authorities are seen as an effort to address the concerns raised by students and parents while preserving a harmonious learning environment in the school. The outcome of the departmental inquiry will determine any further actions to be taken against the teacher, considering the allegations made against her.
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