by In a recent development in Rajasthan, two teachers from a government school in Kota district have been suspended for their alleged involvement in religious conversion. The state Education Minister, Madan Dilawar, made a video statement on Friday announcing the suspension of the teachers, along with an investigation into the matter.
Background of the Incident:
The incident took place in the Khajoori village of Sangod panchayat samiti in Kota district, where a girl’s religion was incorrectly mentioned as ‘Islam’ in her transfer certificate despite being Hindu. This sparked concerns of religious conversion and ‘love jihad’ in the area, with Hindu girls allegedly being forced to offer namaz. The Sarva Hindu Samaj in Sangod raised the issue with the Education Minister, stating that such activities have been ongoing in the school since 2019.
Actions Taken by the Education Minister:
Minister Dilawar emphasized that if the teachers are found guilty of such acts, they will be terminated from their positions. He promptly suspended two teachers, Firoz Khan and Mirza Mujahideen, with further action being taken against Shabana. The teachers have been sent to Bikaner for a detailed investigation, and strict measures will be taken based on the findings.
Community Response:
The Sarva Hindu Samaj’s memorandum to the Education Minister highlighted that an FIR had been filed previously at the Sangod police station regarding religious conversion activities in the school, but no action was taken. This led to the Minister’s swift response in suspending the teachers and initiating a thorough investigation into the matter.
Moving forward, the Rajasthan government is committed to ensuring the safety and rights of students in educational institutions, with a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of coercion or illegal activities. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding secular values and respecting the diverse religious beliefs of individuals.
