A school student waves the Indian Tri-Color flag during the National anthem sung in an event on the occasion of Independence Day at Carter Road, Bandra Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 15-08-15, Mumbai
Badlega India

In Allahabad, the principal and eight teachers of a school have decided not to report for duty from Saturday in protest against a ‘ban’ by the school manager on singing the national anthem and national song in the morning assembly.

The manager allegedly also banned patriotic slogans like ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. His instructions were verbal.
Principal Ritu Shukla told Hindustan Times over phone on Friday night that she and eight other teachers told the manager that they would not be coming to school from Saturday because of the ban.

Neither Shukla nor any of the other eight teachers put their protest in writing.

Shukla said, “If we do not teach our children our national anthem and national song or other patriotic songs, what are we giving them? I have been serving the institution as a principal for past one year and have not been able to adjust with what the school manager has instructed. Not allowing singing of national anthem or national song is unjust.”

The school, M A Convent, is a private institution with classes from nursery to eighth. The school has around 330 students.

Zia-ul-Haq, the manager of the school acknowledged that the principal and eight teachers had told him that they would not come to school from Saturday but refused to share the exact reason for their decision.

Zia-ul-Haq said in a conversation with HT, “I do not want to discuss such things over phone. It is a sensitive issue and I will discuss it only face to face.”

Sanjay Kumar, District magistrate said he would investigate the matter.

Bhawna Chandel
I am a writer, lover, traveler and a human who is very optimistic. Graduate in Mass Communication, advertising and journalism. I love to pen down my views on diverse subjects. I am very curious and love grabbing knowledge even from the places least expected. I am a traveling freak. I believe ‘travel is the only thing you buy, that makes you richer’.