BJP-controlled MCD school in Delhi puts Hindu and Muslim students in separate sections

A group of school teachers at the BJP-controlled North Delhi Municipal Corporation has alleged that a primary MCD school located in Wazirabad is dividing Hindu and Muslim students in different sections.

According to an Indian Express report, the attendance sheet of October 9, of MCD North Boy’s school which is situated in Wazirabad village, Gali Number 9, show the section-wise break up of students:

• Class IA: 36 Hindus, IB: 36 Muslims
• Class IIA: 47 Hindus, IIB: 26 Muslims and 15 Hindus, IIC: 40 Muslims
• Class IIIA: 40 Hindus, IIIB: 23 Hindus and 11 Muslims, IIIC: 40 Muslims, IIID: 14 Hindus and 23 Muslims
• Class IVA: 40 Hindus, IVB: 19 Hindus and 13 Muslims, IVC: 35 Muslims, IVD: 11 Hindus and 24 Muslims
• Class VA: 45 Hindus, VB: 49 Hindus, VC: 39 Muslims and 2 Hindus, VD: 47 Muslims

The school run by BJP-controlled MCD offers education only till Class V. Also, according to the RTE Act, ideally each section should have 30 students at the primary level.

The teacher CB Singh Sehrawat, who has taken over after the principal was transferred on July 2, denied the division of students on the basis of religion and stated that reshuffling is a standard procedure in school.

“Reshuffling of sections is standard procedure which happens in all schools. This was a management decision to try and do the best we can to see that there is peace, discipline and a good learning environment in the school. Children fought sometimes,” Sehrawat said.

Sehrawat said that there are some vegetarian students in the classes and there may be differences. “Of course children this young don’t know about religion, but they squabble over things. Some children are vegetarian, so there may be differences, and so on. We need to look after the interests of all teachers and students.”

According to report in Indian Express, a source in the school revealed that that the reshuffling of sections based on religion has began only in July this year after Sehrawat took over as in-charge. The academic session of the school began in April.

“The principal was transferred on July 2, after which a teacher was put in charge until a new principal is posted. He initiated these changes and teachers were not consulted in the matter. When some teachers tried to bring it up with him, he responded with aggression and told them that it was none of their concern and that they should do their assigned jobs,” the source stated.

According to the report, a group of teachers from the school went to the MCD zonal office in Civil Lines around a month ago to inform the authorities about the matter. But the teachers did not put their grievances in writing in fear of being targeted.

An official of the North Municipal Corporation of Delhi of Education Department said, “Now that this has been brought to our notice, we will definitely inquire about it. If the allegations are true, strict action will be taken.”

According to the news report, the parents of students studying in the school were not aware of the situation. A mother of class IV students denied that such division was happening until her son said, “There are no Hindu boys in my class. We were together until a few months back. A good friend of mine is no longer in the same classroom.”

“This is extremely wrong, if true. We believe all children are equal. What is going to happen if they are treated like this at the school level itself? This is very disturbing,” said a mother of a class I student who was also unaware of the segregation.

Soon after the Indian Express report was published, the Education Department of the BJP-led North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) on Wednesday, October 10, directed a senior official to visit and inspect its school in Wazirabad over reports that students there were being allegedly segregated into Hindu and Muslim sections, according to official sources.

With PTI inputs.