A troubling incident at Hilton Convent School in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, has ignited outrage after a seven-year-old Muslim student was allegedly expelled for bringing non-vegetarian food to school.
The event, which took place on Thursday, has led to accusations of discrimination and Islamophobia against the school’s administration.
The situation escalated when the school’s principal, Avnish Mishra, reportedly suspended the student following a tense exchange with the child’s mother.
The confrontation, captured on video, has since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation.
In the video, the student’s mother vehemently denies the accusation, stating, “My son did not bring non-vegetarian food in his tiffin.”
Despite her protest, Principal Mishra maintained that the school prohibits non-vegetarian food and went further, claiming that Muslim students have intentions of “destroying Hindu temples.”
These remarks have sparked outrage for promoting harmful stereotypes.
Samiullah Khan, a prominent local social activist, condemned the incident, calling it a blatant act of discrimination.
“The principal’s behavior was not only unjust but deeply rooted in hatred towards Muslims,” he said. “We cannot allow such bigotry to continue in our schools.”
The controversy has prompted protests from the Muslim community in Amroha. In response, the District School Inspector has launched an investigation, assembling a three-member committee to probe the allegations.
A representative from the office assured the public that the matter is being taken seriously, stating, “No child should ever face such treatment in an educational setting.”
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of Muslims in India, with many noting that such cases of discrimination are not isolated.
Reports of similar incidents have emerged from other parts of Uttar Pradesh, raising concerns about the safety and rights of minority communities.
As the investigation unfolds, the Muslim community is urging parents to stay vigilant and advocate for their children’s rights in schools.
There are increasing calls for the establishment of more Muslim-run schools to ensure that children can receive education in an environment that respects their cultural and religious identities. (With inputs from agencies.)