UP: Probe Ordered Over Kalma Recitation In School, Principal Says Students Recite Prayers Of 4 Religions

The Principal said that prayers of all the four religions were recited in the school but after the complaint was lodged, recitation of these prayers were withheld and started only national anthem.

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New Delhi: Florets International School in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur came under the light of senior officials of the UP Police and administration as they reached the school after the news of children being taught Kalma there went viral, reported news agency ANI. A complaint was filed against the private school for allegedly teaching 'Kalma' to Hindu as per the report adding that the case gained momentum after a video of a tweet went viral on Sunday.

Responding to the development, school management, in its clarification to the police, claimed that prayers of all four religions were recited in the school during morning assembly to promote the 'Sarva Dharma Samaan' ideology. 

"We have prayers for all four religions. We want to teach the students that all religions are equal. But now we are getting into issues over it and from Saturday itself we have taken action against this. From today we have stopped reciting these prayers and started only national anthem for assembly," said Ankita Yadav, Principal of the Florets International School, quoted by the news agency. 

"The school students recite prayers of four religions - Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian - for the last 12-13 years. No one ever objected. An objection was raised about this from a parent's side four days ago," she added.

A parent said, "My son studies here. For the last few days, my son was reciting the kalma at home. My wife raised concern about it. When we spoke to our son, he said that every day after prayer the school teaches it to them. My concern is why should my son read this? What if he disapproves of his own religion after some days?"

The report stated that an inquiry has been set been ordered into the matter based on the investigation report of the police. 

ACP Nishank Sharma said, "We came to know about Kalma being taught to students at the Florets International school through a tweet. The DM and local police have also been notified. Today we visited the school to investigate the matter."

"The school authorities after the objection decided that only the national anthem will be recited during the assembly. They have stopped all the other prayers," added the ACP.