Muslim organisations called for Nizamabad Bandh after BJP worker assaults Urdu teacher in Telangana

Nizamabad: Yesterday, a bandh was called by several organisations in Telangana’s Nizamabad district, as a school principal alleged that he was beaten up for teaching Urdu to the students there, raising the issue of politics and communal tension.

Amer Khan, chief of Bharat Chandra School Armoor, is under controversy because he told the police that a team of BJP workers on Saturday entered his school and questioned him about the classes of Urdu being held in the institution by non-Muslim students, before allegedly assaulting the principal.

In a media interaction, Khan claimed that Urdu classes were introduced only on a request on urdu from parents. He said the management of the school gave its consent to the proposal and allocated the labour of a qualified Urdu teacher who will be able to meet the demand.

“The parents wanted their children to learn Urdu. Then, after the request, management gave its nod to it and appointed a teacher,” Khan said.

Khan additionally claims that afterwards he was led away to the police station, and the two teachers were allegedly forced to sit on the floor for several hours. The treatment he received was humiliating, he said, and he asked for proper investigations into the alleged assault as well as his treatment by the police.

The incident has sparked protests and intense political response, with various bodies urging a bandh in the district to protest the alleged attack and urge action against the offenders.

Police has yet to provide a detailed statement on the charges. The police are closely watching the situation and are taking advantage of the varying tensions to maintain peace and order in the district.

The incident has brought language education back to the forefront of debate, communal peace and the role and working of educational institutions in Telangana. A further investigation into the allegations is ongoing.