Rajasthan: 2 School Teachers Suspended, Another Being Probed Over 'Religious Conversion' Charges In Kota

Rajasthan's education minister said stringent action has been taken against three teachers at a government senior secondary school in Khajuri.

New Delhi: Two government school teachers in Kota were suspended, and an inquiry was launched against a third one over allegations of involvement in religious conversion, "love jihad," and connections to banned "jihadi outfits," Rajasthan's education minister Madan Dilawar said, news agency PTI reported.

Dilawar, in a video statement released on Friday, stated that stringent action has been taken against three teachers at a government senior secondary school in Khajuri Odpur village, Sangod.

According to PTI, following a memorandum from the local group, Sarv Hindu Samaj, Sangod, the minister directed action against the teachers, as per an order by the education officer. The minister announced that he had been informed that a Hindu student's religion was noted down as “Islam” on her transfer certificate. “There is a conspiracy of religious conversion and love jihad and Hindu girls are being forced to read namaz… this was brought to my notice,” Dilwar stated in the video.

In the video statement, Dilwar said two teachers, Firoj Khan and Mirza Mujahid, were suspended, while disciplinary measures against the third teacher, Shabana, are in progress. Dilawar also assured the possibility of dismissal of the teachers from their service based on further investigation.

The memorandum also brought to attention the case of a Hindu girl listed as Muslim in the school records, who was allegedly abducted by Muslim youths and remains missing. The Kota district education officer (secondary) issued an order on Thursday mandating action against teachers on being directed by the education minister.

The memorandum, presented by Sarv Hindu Samaj, Sangod during the minister's visit to the area on Tuesday, alleged the involvement of certain teachers in "love jihad," religious conversion, and connections to banned "jihadi outfits."

'Love Jihad' is a term often used to allege the tactics used by Muslim men to entice Hindu women to convert through marriage.

As per the order, all three teachers have been instructed to report to the directorate of education, Bikaner, during the investigation period, PTI reported.