A government school in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district found itself at the centre of a controversy, after a video from the institute went viral, which showed students reciting the Urdu prayer, “Lab pe aati hai dua” during the morning assembly. A massive administrative action followed, leading to a First Information Report (FIR) and suspension of three staff members.

Incident takes place in Jalab Sarai

The incident, as per reports, took place in the Jalab Sarai area under the Nakhasa Police Station limits, where students were seen reciting the poem authored originally by Allama Iqbal. After the video began making rounds on social media rapidly, the district administration authorities suspended the school principal, Anjar Ahmad, assistant teacher Mohammad Gul Ejaz and acting principal Valesh Kumar. 

Officials in the know of the case said an FIR has also been registered against the three staff members over concerns of the alleged use of religious content during a government school assembly. 

DM orders probe

Sambhal’s District Magistrate (DM) Ankit Khandelwal said he has ordered a probe into the incident after the video drew widespread attention online. He added that a three-membered committee, headed by Chief Development Officer, has been constituted to conduct an in-depth probe. 

Authorities maintained that any violation of the rules established in educational institutions would not be tolerated, adding that further action in the case shall be based on the committee’s findings. 

Allegations and counterclaims surface

The issue escalated further after claims of Hindu students allegedly being exposed to ‘Islamic practices’ surfaced, with concerns raised over students wearing caps and female pupils being encouraged to wear hijab. However, several members of the civil society and Urdu scholars have termed the allegations ‘exaggerated,’ arguing that the poem is cultural rather than doctrinal in nature. 

A local Urdu teacher voiced his opinion, saying that generations of students have recited the prayer without controversy, warning against viewing Urdu expressions solely through a religious lens.