Muslim children | SabrangIndia News Related to Human Rights Tue, 12 Mar 2024 08:43:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sabrangindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Favicon_0.png Muslim children | SabrangIndia 32 32 Class 3 student threatens to kill Muslim classmate in Gujarat https://sabrangindia.in/class-3-student-threatens-to-kill-muslim-classmate-in-gujarat/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 08:43:56 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=33766 On February 17th in Vadodara, Gujarat, an 8-year-old student studying in class 3 was targeted and reportedly abused by his fellow classmates. Reports suggest that similar incidents of discrimination have happened in the school earlier as well.

The post Class 3 student threatens to kill Muslim classmate in Gujarat appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
According to a report by The Observer Post, the young child named Faizaan Mohammad was threatened, abused and even hit with a bottle by his fellow classmates and students due to his Muslim identity on February 17.

The episode began when Faizaan found that he did not have a pencil during class. Following this, he asked his classmates if he could borrow one thinking that he had left it at home. However, as no one offered assistance, Faizaan went back to searching through his school bag and finally found a pencil.

However, to his dismay, his peers who witnessed the incident began saying derogatory and biased comments about Muslims. As per the report, the classmates even stated, “Musalman sab aise hi hote hai” (All Muslims are like this). Faizaan heard this and urged his classmates to not make such remarks and to let this be behind them, however the students did not listen and continued. Some of them even said, “Humne tumhe is desh me rehne diya hai nahi to tum katora le kar kahi bheek maang rahe hote” (We allowed you to live in this country otherwise you would be begging somewhere else with a bowl). This made Faizaan leave the classroom, being distraught and feeling helpless. He also reported the incident to the school coordinator. However, the incident was not addressed immediately. According to the report, the school coordinator was involved with another issue.

Struggling with the distressing encounter, Faizan told his parents about the incident and even asked them whether they would cut his throat. According to his paternal uncle, Sagir Ahmed Ansari, the episode has left Faizan traumatised, and his family is now seeking professional assistance from a doctor who has at this point advised Faizan to stay at home.

The students who abused Faizaan have reportedly confessed, and the school has promised to give them counselling. However, the report stated that even though the school had reassured the parents of Faizaan’s safety, he was also reportedly hit on his head during recess by a bottle. The report also says that the school has reportedly seen similar such discriminatory incidents in the past.

Similarly, an incident of disturbing discrimination had taken place in August in 2023 in Gujarat. A school was under media scrutiny after it did not give the first prize to the higher ranking student, but awarded the one who came second on its Independence Day celebrations. . Reports revealed that Arnazbanu, A Muslim girl student who secured the top position in her class 10 examination, was left in tears during the prize distribution event when the award was instead conferred upon the second-ranking student.

Arnaz’s father Sanwar Khan also expressed his disappointment and even claimed that his daughter was overlooked for the award due to their religious identity, stating, “We have to face discrimination because we follow Islam.”

 

Related:

Rajasthan: Muslim students barred from school, called ‘Chambal ke Daaku’ for wearing hijab

Maharashtra Mob Violence: Muslim student and a fruit vendor, forced into chanting ‘Jai Sri Ram’

Muslim student denied to sit for UGC-NET due to hijab

Denial of access: number of Muslim students shows sharp decline: India

UP: Muslim student, 19 left critically injured, police officers under investigation for alleged custodial torture

The post Class 3 student threatens to kill Muslim classmate in Gujarat appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Delhi Government teacher booked for telling children to “go to Pakistan”, parents demand action https://sabrangindia.in/delhi-government-teacher-booked-for-telling-children-to-go-to-pakistan-parents-demand-action/ Wed, 30 Aug 2023 09:19:31 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=29537 The teacher reportedly made several offensive statements against Muslims in the classroom.

The post Delhi Government teacher booked for telling children to “go to Pakistan”, parents demand action appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
One day following the registration of an FIR against a government school teacher for reportedly making offensive religious comments within an East Delhi classroom, the Delhi government announced on Tuesday that it has established an investigative committee to address the issue, reported PTI.

The government stated, “Guidelines are being issued to teachers and principals to ensure that there is no discrimination based on religion, caste, region, language, and more.”

Authorities have also registered a case against her under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 153. The school teacher in Delhi was booked for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the Kaaba and the Quran within her classroom. Sections of the IPC, including Section 153 A, promoting enmity between different religious groups), Section 295 A (insulting religious beliefs), and Section 298 (intention to wound religious feelings) have been invoked against her.

“The police received a complaint and subsequently filed a case at Gandhi Nagar police station. The investigation is ongoing,” the officer added.

This occurrence comes in the wake of a similar incident in Uttar Pradesh, where a teacher was caught on video for inciting violence against a Muslim student, prompting a nationwide discourse the dangers that marginalised students face while accessing education.

The teacher in question, identified as Hema Gulati, holds a position at Government Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in Gandhi Nagar. Journalist Meer Faisal reported for The Observer Post, as the incident came to light after families of Class 9 students raised concerns about the use of derogatory language targeting their Muslim identity and religious convictions. Currently, the Delhi Police are conducting an investigation into these allegations.

According to the Delhi Police, the teacher employed offensive language that wounded the religious sentiments of certain Muslim students. DCP Shahdara, Rohit Meena, affirmed, “We received a complaint about a school teacher using some religious words before students. We have taken note of the issue. Our Juvenile Welfare Officer, along with counsellors, is providing guidance to the affected students. Since there are 2-3 students involved, we are counselling all of them. It is a government school.”

Allegedly, the teacher also remarked, “During the Partition, you chose to stay in India rather than moving to Pakistan. Your contribution to India’s struggle for independence is minimal.” The complaint was officially lodged on a Friday evening, after the councillor of the area was notified.

Demanding the immediate removal of the teacher, families of the students stress that such comments possess the potential to disrupt the harmony within the school environment. An anxious parent conveyed to ANI, “If this teacher faces no consequences, it might set a precedent. Teachers should concentrate solely on teaching and abstain from commenting on topics they lack an understanding of. Having a teacher who fosters division among students is counterproductive. Our request is simple: remove the teacher from the school; she should not be permitted to teach in any institution.”

Anil Kumar Bajpai, a local MLA and a prominent figure in the Aam Aadmi Party, expressed vehement condemnation of the teacher’s behaviour. He stated, “This is entirely unacceptable. A teacher’s foremost duty is to provide quality education to children. Derogatory remarks regarding any religion or sacred place should never come from a teacher. Individuals of this nature should face legal consequences.”

This incident closely follows another controversy that emerged last week when a video emerged from a private school in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar. The video depicted a teacher instructing students to take turns assaulting another student while making derogatory references to his Muslim faith. These incidents have triggered a nationwide dialogue about the pivotal role of educators in fostering respect, tolerance, and diversity within educational institutions. However, the divergences close here because the case in Muzaffarnagar seems to have been held with less sensitivity and diligence, as reports of political and administrative pressure put on the parents of the child have risen. The accused teacher had also refused to be apologetic about her action in a statement to media.

Such incidents will have the tendency lead to increase in dropouts. In fact, recent findings have noted the alarming decline in enrolment of Muslim students in both primary and higher education. Muslims also have one of the highest dropout rates in primary education. The ongoing debate about the hijab ban, which is currently being reviewed by the Supreme Court, along with a widespread intimidating socio-political atmosphere, discrimination and violence, all play a role in this decline. Academics have noted that it is important to work on providing specific assistance to marginalised groups and eliminating obstacles to their educational and career progress. Moreover, thus can only be done by ensuring justice is accessible to all members of society. The happenings in Muzaffarnagar and in Delhi reminds us of the need to make the classroom a safe and harmonious place for students.

 

Related:

Tripta Tyagi and Puru, my son

Prosecute the hate-peddling school teacher Tripta Tyagi: IMSD

Politicians flood Muzaffarnagar, as father of child beaten for being Muslim says he wants justice as he is scared for his life

Brutal rape and murder of tribal child in MP receives no headlines

The post Delhi Government teacher booked for telling children to “go to Pakistan”, parents demand action appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Politicians flood Muzaffarnagar, as father of child beaten for being Muslim says he wants justice as he is scared for his life https://sabrangindia.in/politicians-flood-muzaffarnagar-as-father-of-child-beaten-for-being-muslim-says-he-wants-justice-as-he-is-scared-for-his-life/ Tue, 29 Aug 2023 09:37:25 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=29510 Three days after the shocking video of a Muslim boy beaten up by his classmates on instructions of his teacher, there has been a flurry of activity in Muzaffarnagar, with politicians visiting the victim and accused, and Alt-News journalist, Mohammed Zubair, thrown under fire.

The post Politicians flood Muzaffarnagar, as father of child beaten for being Muslim says he wants justice as he is scared for his life appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
In a recent development, the Uttar Pradesh Police have registered an FIR against Mohammad Zubair, the Co-founder of Alt News. The charges are based on the accusation about Zubair’s alleged disclosure of the identity of a minor Muslim student who was subjected to abuse by a teacher in a Muzaffarnagar school, reported NDTV.

Dates 28th August, the FIR specifically names Mohammad Zubair as the accused party responsible for exposing the identity of the minor involved in the distressing case. However, this move by the police has sparked widespread outrage among social media users. Many argue that Zubair’s actions had a pivotal role in bringing the incident to the attention of the authorities, and thus his targeting by law enforcement raises concerns over his work as a journalist being unfairly targeted.

In response to the controversy, Zubair had earlier taken to X, formerly Twitter, to explain his actions. In a post dated August 25, he clarified that he had removed the video from circulation as per the request of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

The shocking incident that has gathered widespread condemnation across the nation after, a distressing video surfaced from a school, capturing a teacher instructing students to physically assault a fellow 6-year old boy, sees further developments in the village of Khabbapur, Muzaffarnagar. The victim, a visibly shaken Muslim child, reportedly endured a series of slaps and physical blows from his peers. The teacher, identified as Tripta Tyagi, is seen in the video to have orchestrated this shocking display as a form of punishment, reportedly instructing the class to take part and chastising those whose hits were not hard enough on young child. The incident has triggered outrage and demands for justice as well as raising questions about the school’s affiliation and the role of the authorities in overseeing such matters.

The nationwide outcry prompted the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to intervene. Priyank Kanoongo, the chairperson of NCPCR, stated that notices have been issued to both the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police of Muzaffarnagar.

“We have directed the SP to register an FIR in this matter and give us a report,” Kanoongo emphasized. Furthermore, the district magistrate has been tasked with investigating the school’s certification, the qualifications of its teachers, and the circumstances leading up to this distressing incident.

In addition, the police has registered an FIR under IPC Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) against Tyagi.

In the wake of the incident, farmer leaders and politicians alike have rallied to the houses of the victim and the accused. Figures such as BJP politician and Union Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Sanjeev Balyan, farmer leader Naresh Tikait and other Samajwadi Party other leaders have been reported to have visited the village. It is to be of note that Balyan is a two-time MP from Muzaffarnagar who has been accused in 2013 Muzaffarnager violence. Balyan has stated about recent instance saying that “this issue is forcibly been given a ‘communal colour’. We have sorted it in between us.”

He also reportedly visited the house of the accused, Tripta Tyagi and reassured her in media presence.

The young victim’s father has expressed his anguish and hope for justice for his son, who reportedly continues to suffer emotionally following the incident. “We want justice. We can’t go anywhere. Where will we go? If we don’t get justice, we will die,” he spoke to the Print’s Jyoti Yadav. The parents of the child have also informed the media that the boy has not been able to sleep since the incidence.

Amid the escalating furor, Muzaffarnagar Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Shubham Shukla has disclosed that Neha Public School, where the incident occurred, is currently under scrutiny regarding its affiliation. Shukla clarified that the school is not being closed down but rather undergoing a review process. The school has been given a month to address the affiliation issue and fulfil the requisite certification criteria.

Furthermore, according to PTI, the education department has outlined plans to facilitate the admission of the affected students to a government primary school, should their parents’ consent to the transfer. This move has been designed to alleviate any additional burden on the parents and ensure the children’s education continues in a safe and supportive environment as their earlier school has been shut subject to approval of its affiliation.


Related:

Tripta Tyagi and Puru, my son

Outrageous, hate corrodes UP classrooms

Farm leaders reach Muzaffarnagar, reports of pressure on young victims father to not press charges: UP

In Madhya Pradesh, Claims Don’t Match Reality of Crimes Against Dalits

The post Politicians flood Muzaffarnagar, as father of child beaten for being Muslim says he wants justice as he is scared for his life appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Prosecute the hate-peddling school teacher Tripta Tyagi: IMSD https://sabrangindia.in/prosecute-the-hate-peddling-school-teacher-tripta-tyagi-imsd/ Tue, 29 Aug 2023 07:04:00 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=29507 Hindu majoritarianism has turned India into a sick society

The post Prosecute the hate-peddling school teacher Tripta Tyagi: IMSD appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) is horrified at the ongoing harvest out of the sick seeds sown by Hindutva’s hate brigade. In the latest instance of barbarism on display, a viral video shows Tripta Tyagi, a principal-cum-teacher at the Neha Public School in Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh making blatantly anti-Muslim remarks and ordering students in her class to slap a 7-year-old Muslim classmate because he had not done his homework.

In the deeply disturbing video the boy stands helplessly, tears streaming down his face. Loud slaps are heard as one after another the students follow their teacher’s instruction. “Why don’t you hit harder? Whose turn is it?” she says in the wrenching video. Loud slaps are heard as the students follow their teacher’s instruction. According to the boy’s father the torture went on for an hour or two and his young son is in a shock.

Maine toh declare kar diya, jitne bhi Mohammedan bachche hain, inke wahan chale jao (I have declared — all these Muslim children, go to anyone’s area)….” said Tyagi. She has since declared that she is “not ashamed” of what she did. It’s important to “control” the kids at school… this is how we tackle them” she told NDTV.

No words are strong enough to condemn the shocking misconduct of Tyagi who has scarred a 7-year-old for life, not to mention the instilling of Muslim hatred in the hearts of his classmates. A case has now been registered against her and the school has been shut down by the education department.

IMSD demands a speedy trial and exemplary punishment to the teacher who teaches hate. But incarceration of Tyagi is not enough. The shameful incident is but the latest reminder of the success of Hindutva’s hate-mongers in turning India into a sick society.

Less than a month ago, following a heated exchange, railway cop Chetan Singh shot dead his senior ASI Tikaram Meena in a running train, the Jaipur Mumbai Central Superfast Express. He then proceeded to demonstrate his hatred of Muslims by hounding and gunning down three innocent Muslim passengers: Abdul Kadar Mohamed Hussain Bhanpurawala, Akhtar Abbas Ali and Sadar Mohammed Hussain.

In a chilling video that went viral shows Singh fulminating: “Pakistan se operate hue hain, tumhari media, yahi media coverage dikha rahi hai hai, pata chal raha hai unko, sab pata chal raha hai, inke aaqa hai wahan… Agar vote dena hai, agar Hindustan me rehna hai, toh mai kehta hoon, Modi aur Yogi, ye do hain, aur aapke Thackeray.”

(‘They operate from Pakistan, this is what the media of the country is showing, they have found out, they know everything, their leaders are there… If you want to vote, if you want to live in India, then I say, Modi and Yogi, these are the two, and your Thackeray’)

The same day (July 31) Nuh district in Haryana was engulfed in communal violence leading to the loss of several lives and extensive damage to property. The trigger for the clash was reported to be some objectionable   videos posted on social media by a Bajrang Dal. Monu Manesar, a cow vigilante booked earlier for the murder of two Muslim men whose charred bodies were found in the Bhiwani district in February, had announced he would be participating in the religious procession. The BJP-led Haryana government says it is unable to find Monu Manesar.

Soon after the incidents, Gurugram MP and Union Minister of State (Independent charge) Rao Inderjit Singh had questioned how many in the VHP-organised event were permitted to carry arms. “Kisne hathiyar diye unko is procession mein le jaane ke liye? Koi talwar leke jata hai procession mein? Lathi-dande leke jata hai (Who gave weapons to them for the procession? Who goes to a procession carrying swords, or sticks)? This is wrong,” the BJP minister was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

As shocking as these multiplying instances of hate crimes against Muslims is the silence of the high priests and politicians of Hindutva. Those who proclaim sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka, sabka vishwas, or that “all Indians have the same DNA” say nothing, not a word, to condemn the perpetrators of wanton violence or to comfort the victims and the community in whose name they are targeted.

Meanwhile, IMSD applauds the numerous Hindus and Muslims of Muzaffarnagar who have been working hard to diffuse the situation, ensure peace and mutual amity. This only goes to show that the despite the 24/7 efforts of the hate-mongers the large majority of Indians remain immune to the communal virus.

Signatories:

  1. J. Jawad, Co-convener IMSD, Advocate, Chennai
  2. Akbar Shaikh, IMSD, Social activist, farmer, Solapur
  3. Amir Rizvi, IMSD, Designer, Mumbai
  4. Anand Patwardhan, IMSD, Documentary Film Maker, Mumbai
  5. Arif Kapadia, IMSD, Businessman, Mumbra, Thane
  6. Arshad Alam, Co-convener IMSD, Columnist, Delhi
  7. Aziz Lokhandwala, IMSD, Businessman, Mumbai
  8. Feroze Mirhiborwala, Co-convener, IMSD, Mumbai
  9. Gauhar Raza, ANHAD, Scientist, Poet, Delhi
  10. Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, Islamic scholar, Delhi
  11. Irfan Engineer, Co-convener IMSD, CSSS, Mumbai
  12. Javed Akhtar, IMSD, Poet, Lyricist, former MP, Mumbai
  13. Javed Anand, Convener IMSD, Mumbai
  14. Kasim Sait, Businessman, Philanthropist, Chennai
  15. Khadeeja Farouqui, IMSD, Women’s Rights Activist, Delhi
  16. Mohammad Imran, USA
  17. Muniza Khan, IMSD, CJP, Varanasi
  18. Najid Husain, Oceanographer, USA
  19. Naseeruddin Shah, Actor, Mumbai
  20. (Dr) Ram Puniyani, IMSD, CSSS, Author, Mumbai
  21. Sabah Khan, IMSD, Parcham, Mumbai
  22. Saif Mahmood, IMSD, Supreme Court Lawyer, Delhi
  23. Shabana Azmi, Actor, former MP, Mumbai
  24. Shabana Mashraki, Consultant, Mumbai
  25. Shabnam Hashmi, ANHAD, Delhi
  26. Shafaat Khan, IMSD, Writer, Mumbai
  27. Shalini Dhawan, Designer, Mumbai
  28. Shama Zaidi, IMSD, Documentary Film Maker, Mumbai
  29. Simantini Dhuru, Documentary Film Maker, Educationist
  30. Sultan Shahin, Editor-in-chief, New Age Islam, Delhi
  31. Taizoon Khorakiwala, Businessman, Philanthropist, Mumbai
  32. Teesta Setalvad, IMSD, CJP, Mumbai
  33. Yash Paranjpe, Social Activist, Mumbai
  34. Yousuf Saeed, IMSD, Documentary Film Maker, Delhi

The post Prosecute the hate-peddling school teacher Tripta Tyagi: IMSD appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Tripta Tyagi and Puru, my son https://sabrangindia.in/tripta-tyagi-and-puru-my-son/ Mon, 28 Aug 2023 04:03:43 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=29484 Reflections from a Hindu Indian parent bringing up his son in a white neighbourhood school in north America where joy and sharing not prejudice and hate greeted kids’ return from a long summer break; a shameful comparison with what is happening in parts of India read Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh

The post Tripta Tyagi and Puru, my son appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
From Monday (August 28), after two-and-a-half months of summer holidays, my son, Puru, will start the third grade at his elementary school in our corner of the United States. As is their annual ritual, the school invited all parents to visit on Friday (August 25) to check out their kids’ classrooms and meet with their new class teachers ahead of the start of the school year.

So we went to his school yesterday (Friday). It was a remarkably festive occasion. Smiling and talkative teachers lined the hallways welcoming everyone with genuine passion. Colourfully dressed children and their parents thronged everywhere. Many children happily scanned their classes to see which of their friends from the previous grade had made it to their section. Every class was a mix of new and old faces. To round it off nicely, volunteer parents doled out ice cream to children and parents in the cafeteria.

Puru’s school enrolls about 650 students from kindergarten to fifth grade. Some 80% of the students are white as ours is a predominantly white neighborhood. The rest of the 20% are mostly Hispanic and black students. A few must be mixed-race children.

It’s hard to find South Asian children there. Certainly, Puru is the only South Asian kid in his class, possibly the only across the third grade. I would be surprised if there are more than a couple of other South Asians in the entire school. Without doubt, Puru’s ethnic and national identity is <1% of the schoolchildren’s makeup.

As for the teachers, I’d say 100% of them are white.

Yesterday, after seeing the video of Tripta Tyagi, a Hindu schoolteacher in Uttar Pradesh, prodding Hindu children to slap a Muslim student in her class, my mind was inevitably drawn to several thoughts.

First, I resolved with great determination that, if I can help it, I’d NEVER bring my son back to India, much less send him to school there. Second, I started to think: what if one of Puru’s white teachers had asked the white kids to slap him because he’s Indian and a Hindu?

I wish those of you who are reading this post were there at Puru’s school yesterday to see what happened.

So many teachers who know Puru were delighted to see him. One teacher who teaches ESL (English as second language) class and who knew Puru in his first grade shrieked his name with a giggle and hugged him tight.

His new class teacher, Mrs. Wright, welcomed him to the class with visible emotions and then, a few minutes later, came by again to ask him, “Do you like your new desk? Do you like your new friends?”

I told Mrs. Wright that Puru would like to find people to play chess with. Immediately she held his hand and took him to the male class teacher of another second grade section and introduced Puru to him. That teacher is a chess player. Presently, he and Puru bonded and they’re now looking at some chess time together.

Mrs. Wright and her assistant teachers were delighted to know that Puru plays the piano. One of them asked, “Does the music teacher know about it? Do you play in her class?”

Some day, I will share the comments that Puru’s previous class teacher in second grade wrote every three months on his term report cards. Without fail, she’d be over the moon with his classwork. Once she wrote: “It is a pleasure to work with Puru,” as if Puru is not a student but a colleague.

Every time I go to Puru’s school I am absolutely amazed at how truly, deeply, unquestionably inclusive and welcoming that experience is, not just for Puru but for every single child there. I have not a shadow of doubt that the teachers’ emotions and responses stem from their convictions, because no law or diktat can force people to break into a grin and a tight hug if they don’t feel it. They feel it. We, as Puru’s parents, feel it. The love is real.

Imagine. Here we are. Puru, Sarita and I. Three non-Americans in a sea of non-desi, mostly-White neighborhood. We have lived here only three years. Sarita and I don’t even speak the American accent. Those who know us in our town know well that we are not Americans. Not for a second has anyone — friend or stranger — so much as given a hint that they think we don’t belong here.

At the other end of the planet, in my home country, millions of Hindus are now telling Muslims, who have for millennia lived on the land, that not only do they not belong there but that they will be bullied, attacked, assaulted, lynched, killed, jailed, prosecuted, persecuted as long as they are Muslim.

What a shame.

Related:

Outrageous, hate corrodes UP classrooms

The post Tripta Tyagi and Puru, my son appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Farm leaders reach Muzaffarnagar, reports of pressure on young victims father to not press charges: UP https://sabrangindia.in/farm-leaders-reach-muzaffarnagar-reports-of-pressure-on-young-victims-father-to-not-press-charges-up/ Sat, 26 Aug 2023 15:58:34 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=29481 Muslim boy beaten for an hour, on instigation by a school teacher, Tripta Tyagi leads to national outrage; even as UP police dither, farmer leaders usher in a call for unity.

The post Farm leaders reach Muzaffarnagar, reports of pressure on young victims father to not press charges: UP appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
The video capturing a distressing incident where a young Muslim child is beaten by his classmates at the instigation and “instructions” of his teacher at Neha Public School in a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar has shocked the country.

The ghastly incident has even caught the attention of international media outlets like Al Jazeera and TRT World. In the footage, now viral, a teacher is seen encouraging communal hatred among her students by urging a Hindu children to physically assault a Muslim peer. The young boy stands frozen, close to tears, while the disturbing incident unfolds before the camera. The incident, which occurred on August 24, has ignited calls for legal intervention to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences. All day, Saturday, August 26 the hashtags, #NehaPublicSchool and #ArrestTriptaTyagi were trending on the social media platform, twitter (X).

The teacher, identified as Tripta Tyagi, is seen saying “Kya tum maar rahe ho iske. Zor se maaro, aur kiska number hai.” (What are you doing, why are you not beating him harder? Alright, who is next in line?).

The attitude of the teacher, Tripta Tyagi who asked a Hindu student to slap a ‘Mohammedan child’ for not memorising a Math table, underlines both the prejudice and hate generated even as it also raises questions on the educational structure, entrenching social conditioning and the lack of secular teaching attitudes within classrooms.

Amid the uproar, Priyank Kanungo, Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection Of Child Rights (NCPCR), took to social media, urging people not to share the video.

The young boy, speaking to the media earlier today, was trembling with emotion as he recounted, “I was beaten up because I had made a mistake. I didn’t learn multiplication tables, that’s why I was slapped by my classmates. She told the children to come and hit me hard. They kept hitting me for an hour.”

His father, speaking to ANI media, decried the cruelty his child endured, stating that this is not a “mere Hindu-Muslim issue” but a matter of justice.

The teacher in question has stated, in a weak defence, after the outrage broke out that while she was wrong in having the child beaten, and that she is differently abled which is why she asked other children to beat the boy; she also alleges that the video has been tampered.

As the nation grapples with the fallout of this disturbing incident, legal actions are being pursued to address the matter. A plea filed with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by a UP based lawyer SM Haider Rizvi. The complaint argues that the incident reveals a disturbing mindset of the teacher, one that fosters animosity against a particular community. According to Live Law, the lawyer has moved NHRC seeking registration of an FIR under Sections 153A, 295A, 298, 323, 504 and 506 of the IPC.

Prominent Bharatiya Kisan Union(BKU) leader Naresh Tikait also met with the victim’s family as well the teacher earlier today, and unequivocally condemned the incident and advocated a peaceful resolution. He called for doing away the FIR and a “compromise”; he also reiterated the need to maintain unity, and stated “what happened should not happen again.” Naresh Tikait, in a much publicised public event brought the two boys together: the child who is the victim,  and the other boy who was “instructed to beat him.” Both boys are seen making a tight and warm embrace  as Tikait states to the media that “all was well now”. The Hindu child who had slapped Altamash in the notorious video –following the order of teacher Tripta—is seen embracing him. The question is will this sponataneous and much-needed intervention be enough to heal the schisms that are being created between communities, stigmatising and targeting Muslims?

Authorities, including the Child Welfare Committee and Muzaffarnagar’s District Magistrate Arvind Mallappa, have stepped in to provide “counselling to the child.” Legal action is also underway, with charges registered against the teacher under relevant sections, as confirmed by Muzaffarnagar police. No reports are forthcoming on action against the teacher, though one report says that “departmental” or “administrative action will be taken.

However, YouTuber,  Deepak Sharma claims that are varying reports coming from the ground, one of which includes that there is pressure on the father of the child to not let the matter get any further traction. Notably, in his only statement to media Irshad, the father,  has clarified that he has given in writing to the police that he will not press charges. A local journalist from ground zero, who is claimed to have broken the story first, Rajeev Pratap Saini, states that the police has been constantly present at the house of the young boy; Saini reports stating that there is so much “pressure” on the father, which is why he is not ready to file a criminal complaint.

 

Related:

In Madhya Pradesh, Claims Don’t Match Reality of Crimes Against Dalits

No evidence of religious violence in Manipur’: US-based right-wing think tank

Outrageous, hate corrodes UP classrooms

The ‘Fascist BJP, Down’ slogan not an offence: Madras HC quashes FIR against academic

The post Farm leaders reach Muzaffarnagar, reports of pressure on young victims father to not press charges: UP appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Outrageous, hate corrodes UP classrooms https://sabrangindia.in/outrageous-hate-corrodes-up-classrooms/ Sat, 26 Aug 2023 04:32:49 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=29455 The video of a Muslim boy being beaten up, slapped and humiliated in front of the entire class in a school in Uttar Pradesh, has only shown how much the hate propaganda against the Muslims in India has reached inside our hearts and minds.

The post Outrageous, hate corrodes UP classrooms appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
That a teacher in the primary school is sadistically enjoying the sight of a poor boy being humiliated in front of the entire class reflects the power of the poison that has been injected in our mind for years and has become the hallmark of the Noida-based televison channels.

Remember, the teacher is not beating the boy herself but ordering each student of the class to beat him up. She encouraged the act of violence and stigmatisation and said that all Muslim children should be dealt with like this!

Where is the Indian moral outrage?

The criminal and thuggish teacher identified as Tripta Tyagi is actually head of the Neha Public school of a village in Mujaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh.

This clearly reflects how much poison has been spread in our heart across the nooks and corners of the country and it should not merely make us feel ashamed of us but worry us deeply.

Should we allow such things to happen or they need a strong socio-political and cultural response. Often the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Sangh Parivar promote their “agenda” on a ‘non-political basis’ using common prejudices and cultural practices as if they are the sole guardians of the society.

The most atrocious part of these hate crimes is that they are being recorded and spread across the internet by the perpetrators of the crime, validated and legitimised by hundreds of thousands of viewers.

In most of such cases when there is a huge outrage, the state apparatus acts like it acted in the Manipur case, to punish the person who posted the video on social media. The person who brought it to the notice of the nation becomes a criminal while the criminals who commit such heinous crimes are carefully pushed in the background for some time till someday some outfit of the Hindutva makes the person their leader.

Tripta Tyagi actually does not deserve to be teacher but for certain she is the product of the ‘jahar kee pathshala’ (hate school) of various outfits of the saffron propaganda militia.

We all celebrated India now on the moon but yesterday. The G-20 summit is scheduled to happen in the second week of September. The prime minister has already got an ‘international award’ for his ‘contribution’ but the crisis in India is much bigger than even the BJP can think of now.

The poison of hatred has spread across. The Sangh Parivar outfits, Noida Propaganda media all have worked hard during the past 10 years.

Remember, it is not merely the act of committing the hate crime but justifying it through the vilifying those who speak up against such hatred. The vilification of the opponents is justified through whereaboutary on the prime time.

Criminals get normalised on TV. Media will wait for a couple of days till they find some Muslim criminal to have committed a heinous crime to deflate the story. The continuous vilification of Muslims in our media is the biggest vile “achievement” of the present dispensation.

 India’s ruling party and its Ministers rarely speak on the issue.  The officers will wait for the orders of the highest authority and the media will begin to cover up the incident.

The Darbaris and loud speakers on prime time will not allow ‘Hindus’ to be ‘targeted’ for some ‘isolated’ incident and blame the opponents for conspiring to ‘defame’

India when the country has landed on moon and G-20 is happening. The ruling party’s response to this will be on conspiracy theory while their ground staff will continue to feed the hatred against Muslims as well as the Bahujan Samaj of India.

Good thing is that the people are speaking. Though slowly. And somewhat softly.

Many political leaders have spoken the left, Sitaram Yechury, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. It was essential for them and speak against hatred.

I am still waiting Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Netas to speak up on the issue and call for a full-fledged battle against hatred.

More than anything else, India does not merely need a ‘ muhobbat kee dukan’ but complete demolition of the hate factories built up so powerfully with the help of the power elite. Hate crime flourishes on the strength of distortion of history and fake news.

So, the biggest priority of our political parties today in INDIA should be to unite against the culture of violence, prejudices and hate crime.

Do not legitimise news channels that spread fake news and justify hate crime. Speak up against hatred as otherwise it will engulf you. You can’t build stronger and united India on the edifice of falsehood and hatred.

Remembering Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s powerful lines here

‘Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high,

Where knowledge is free

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;

Where words come out from the depths of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;

Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever widening thought and action

into that heaven of freedom, my father, l

Let my country awake’

Let my countrymen awake against this culture of hatred which will ultimately affect us as a society and as a citizen of India.

We must stand united and firm against the culture of hatred and bigotry.

Related:

Delhi HC Women Lawyer’s Forum petitions CJI against calls for socio-economic boycott of Muslims at Nuh, Haryana

Haryana: Resolutions banning entry of Muslims traders withdrawn after authorities send show-cause notice

Growing calls for social and economic boycott of Muslims surfacing on social media, plea in the Supreme Court

The post Outrageous, hate corrodes UP classrooms appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Muslim children face ‘systematic exclusion’ at pre-primary level in Delhi’s private schools: Study https://sabrangindia.in/muslim-children-face-systematic-exclusion-pre-primary-level-delhis-private-schools-study/ Mon, 22 Feb 2021 03:42:19 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/02/22/muslim-children-face-systematic-exclusion-pre-primary-level-delhis-private-schools-study/ Research implies that ‘quality’ private schooling in Delhi is an option only for elitist, privileged families with social capital

The post Muslim children face ‘systematic exclusion’ at pre-primary level in Delhi’s private schools: Study appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Muslim childrens
Representation Image
 

An academic study has brought to the fore, a fact that is well known to those who face such discrimination. According to a report in Twocircles.net, a recently published research has shown how young Muslim children have had to fave “educational marginalisation” in the national Capital. The study has also revealed that literacy rates among the Muslim community grow at much slower rates than among SCs/STs.

The research was conducted by scholars Jannat Fatima Farooqui (Research Scholar, Department of Social Work, University of Delhi) and Sukanya Sen (Consultant, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights), published in the Journal of Education and Human Development. It is a study of how Muslim children face “systematic exclusion at the pre-primary level at private schools in New Delhi”.

The study titled “Early Educational Marginalisation for Muslim Children in India: An Analysis of Nursery School Admission in Private Schools of Delhi, India” was published by the American Institute of Policy development in December 2020, and shows how the marginalisation of Muslims in India starts at an early age. The study  has shown that out of all the Muslim Children who had sought admission in nursery class to “private”,  unaided schools in Delhi “less than 3% of the children got admission” and 94% were dismissed. 

According to the study, later reported by TwoCircles, some schools even had “Zero admission of Muslim children” It is known that in Delhi, school admissions are given based on a “point system,” in which applicants are allotted points for each criteria they fulfil, such as  neighbourhood, distance, siblings in same school, either parent as alumni, girl child, either parent a staff of the school, and education of parents etc.

According to the result, in India, it has been recorded that “Muslim families rarely possess the social, cultural and economic capital (Bourdieu, 1986) to fulfill any of these criteria. It has been argued that the educational backwardness and illiteracy of Muslims in India is a legacy of the past; wherein parents have passed on the disadvantages to their children (Bhat, & Zavier, 2005).” 

The research highlighted that “disadvantaged neighbourhoods such as slums and ghettos are likely to have a lesser number of private schools. Therefore, the neighbourhood restriction limits access and choice for Muslim students. Further, a majority of Muslim students do not have parents who have been alumna of the school, who are staff/teachers in the school and who have a sibling in private school. This results in an intergenerational vicious cycle of educational marginalisation for Muslim children in the country.” This research implies that ‘quality’ private schooling in Delhi is an option only for elitist, privileged families with social capital.

According to the study, even though “girl children” get an additional point and therefore an “advantage”, the admission of Muslim girls is lesser compared to that of boys. “Reasons derived for this are poverty, preference of boy child education, reluctance towards co-ed and secular schooling, inclination towards madrasa education for girls,” stated the study. 

The study also points out the “other side” as it were, and shows that the ratio of Muslim children who got admission under EWS/DG category in the private schools is relatively higher compared to the admission of Muslim children under the “general category”, as “section 12 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 in India has made it compulsory for every private unaided school to admit at least 25% of its entry-level class from children belonging to economically weaker and disadvantaged groups.”

However, as the article analysis, this “higher percentage of EWS/DG category of Muslim students can be (is) reflective of the low socioeconomic conditions of the community.”  The Muslim girl child remains a vulnerable category. According to the research, “foundations need to be laid through quality early childhood care and education (UNICEF, 2016), and this is crucial in “alleviating marginalization faced by children born into socially and economically disadvantaged groups like Muslims in India.”

The complete study may be read here: 

 

Related:

Modi and Sangh shape education in their own mould

‘NEP Is Meant for Commercialisation of Education’  

The post Muslim children face ‘systematic exclusion’ at pre-primary level in Delhi’s private schools: Study appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>