Hyderabad: A teacher at a private school in Hyderabad has been terminated following a controversy over alleged homework asking students to read “Kalma” and “Surah Fateha”, with police stating that the assignment violated both the school’s policy and the education policy.
The issue came to light after photographs of a student’s homework diary went viral on social media, prompting protests and demands for action. Police said the situation is now peaceful and urged the public not to spread rumours or communal hatred.
Police reveal class composition
Addressing the media on Thursday, Charminar Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Khare Kiran Prabhakar said the incident occurred in a Class 2 section at Success School in Hyderabad.
According to the DCP, the class had 25 students, comprising 24 Muslim students and one Hindu student.
He said the teacher had written homework instructing students to read the Kalma, adding that the assignment was inconsistent with both the school’s internal policy and the education policy.
“It was a complete violation of the education policy as well as the school policy,” the DCP said.
School terminates teacher
Police said the parents of the Hindu student approached both the school and the police after learning about the homework.
Following the incident, the management of Success School took disciplinary action and terminated the services of teacher Shaik Aisha Parveen.
According to the school, the teacher has also been permanently barred from seeking employment at any institution under the Success Group of Education Institutions.
The school management reportedly informed police that appropriate action had been taken in response to the incident.
Homework diary sparks controversy
The controversy began after photographs of pages from a student’s homework diary, dated July 11, circulated widely on social media.
The entries allegedly instructed students to “Read 1,2 Kalma” and “Read Surah Fateha” under the subject “Deeniyath”, while other homework on the same pages related to subjects such as Mathematics and Computer Science.
The diary pages also reportedly carried the teacher’s signatures.
The authenticity and context of the homework became the subject of public debate, leading to protests outside the school.
Police maintain peace, no FIR registered
The DCP said police had taken preventive measures to maintain law and order following the protests.
More than 30 people were taken into preventive custody during demonstrations held outside the school.
Among those detained were BJP leader Andela Sriramulu Yadav, advocate and BJP leader Karuna Sagar, and several other party workers.
Police said the parents had informed them that they did not have any complaint against the school management after action was taken against the teacher.
As a result, no FIR has been registered in the matter so far.
The DCP added that police would examine any future complaint, if received, and seek legal opinion before taking further action.
Police appeal against rumours
Police appealed to the public not to spread rumours or attempt to give the incident a communal colour.
Officials said the school management and the concerned parents had resolved the matter following the disciplinary action against the teacher.
The police reiterated that the situation remains peaceful and that they are continuing to monitor developments to prevent any disturbance to public order.