Pramesh S Jain &Thomas (Special correspondent)
Tension gripped Chandra Layout after a group of parents gathered in front of Vidya Sagar Public School in Bengaluru on Saturday and staged a protest against the management of the school over restrictions on their children.
The police rushed to the spot and controlled the situation after convincing the parents that the education officers would initiate action against a teacher who had allegedly written some objectionable words on the board during the class hours on Friday.
Police were called in to disperse a group of parents who staged a protest in front of Vidyasagar English Public School in Chandra Layout.
A Standard VII teacher had told students that they should follow the interim order of the Karnataka High Court on school uniforms.
As word spread amidst rumours that the teacher had used objectionable language,parents gathered outside the school in protest.
An education official after conducting a spot investigation said that the teacher had simply asked students to wear only their uniforms in the classroom as per the directions of the High Court.Some parents misunderstood and took offence,he said.
Classes were suspended as the police were called in to disperse the parents.
With protests outside educational institutions in other parts of the State,City Police Commissioner Kamal Pant had imposed prohibitory orders against protesters from gathering within a 200-metre radius of schools and educational institutions.This will remain in effect till Febraury 22.
The Karnataka High Court, in an interim order, restrained students from wearing safon shawls, scarfs,hijab’s and the like in the classroom.
Parents accused teacher used objectionable words asking the girl not to pray but to focus on studies.
Soon the matter has been communicated to parents who gathered in front of the school and protested..
The management speaking to the media said that the teacher had just reminded student about high court which has been mis communicated to the parents.
Parents of the class 7 Vidyasagar English Public School filed a complaint against a maths teacher for allegedly using offensive write up against the minority students to hurt their religious sentiments on Friday.
Based on a complaint filed by Naziya Farheen, one of the parent,the Chandra layout police have registered an Non cognizable report for further investigations.
Ms.Farheen in her complaint,said that the teacher identified as Shashikala had written slurs on the blackboard and stated that they would be thrown out of the state once the court judgement on Hijab row is out.
She also allegedly wrote on the broad abusing the prayers and the religious belief and heckled them in the class.
Officials of the education department and police rushed to the spot and reasoned with the agitated parents and also inquired with the teachers and students .
This is nothing to do with the hijab row but about some misunderstanding created between the teacher and parents,a senior official of the education department told the media .
When more and more people started gathering outside the school the management suspended the classes and the teacher was escorted by police .
The education department assured to conduct a detailed probe and take necessary action till then the maths teacher Shashikala has been suspended.
The police are now probing the incident and planning to question few students, teachers and management for further investigations.
