By Team Clarion
SAMBHAL — A controversy has broken out in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district after a video from a government school showing students reciting the famous Urdu prayer “Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua” during morning assembly went viral on social media, leading to the suspension of three school staff members and the registration of an FIR.
The incident took place at a school in Jalab Sarai area under the Nakhasa police station limits in Sambhal district. District authorities suspended principal Anjar Ahmad, assistant teacher Mohammad Gul Ejaz and acting principal Valesh Kumar after allegations were levelled regarding the conduct of the morning assembly and the alleged use of religious practices inside the school.
According to officials, the action was taken after a video circulated online showing schoolchildren reciting the Urdu prayer written by noted poet and philosopher Allama Iqbal. The lines heard in the video were: “Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri, zindagi shama ki surat ho khudaya meri.”
The poem has historically been recited in many schools across the Indian subcontinent for decades and is widely seen by many educationists as a moral prayer focusing on knowledge, goodness and service to humanity. However, some right-wing groups objected to its recitation, claiming that it carried a religious tone and was inappropriate for a government school.
The controversy quickly grew after allegations surfaced that Hindu students were allegedly being given “Islamic education” and that some female students were being encouraged to wear hijab during assembly. Questions were also raised over students wearing caps in the video.
Officials from the education department launched an inquiry after the video gained attention online. Following preliminary findings, Sambhal District Magistrate Ankit Khandelwal ordered action against the school authorities.
The Basic Education Department later suspended the principal and two teachers. Officials also confirmed that an FIR had been registered against the three staff members.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
