Teacher suspended for making students perform Namaz before yoga:Officials visit Burhanpur school, students demonstrate sequence during inquiry

A government school in Deori, Burhanpur, has come under controversy after reports that children were made to perform Namaz before Surya Namaskar. The District Education Officer (DEO) suspended the teacher involved, Jaboor Ahmed Tadvi, on Saturday after an inquiry. DEO visits school, confirms students’ claims When the complaint reached the education department, DEO Santosh Singh Solanki visited the school personally. He spoke with the students, who confirmed that they were being made to perform Namaz steps before Surya Namaskar during morning prayers. Based on their statements, the officer prepared a panchnama and submitted an investigation report. The report led to the suspension of the teacher. Additional Collector Veer Singh Chauhan also confirmed the suspension. Teacher denies allegations The accused teacher, Jaboor Ahmed Tadvi, denied the claims. He said he was on leave and unaware of the complaint. Tadvi maintained that the school only follows the steps given in the government’s physical education book. He called the accusations false and baseless. Hindu Jagran Manch raises objection Members of the Hindu Jagran Manch reached the school on Friday after hearing about the issue. Their district president, Ajit Pardesi, questioned the children and found that some of them confirmed being taught Namaz steps. The organisation demanded strict action against the teacher. Parents also expressed anger and said they had learnt about the practice from their children during Diwali holidays. Fifth-grade students demonstrate the exercise When the Hindu Jagran Manch team visited, three fifth-grade students demonstrated how they were taught the steps. They said they first performed the Namaz-like movements and then Surya Namaskar. Parents said they had complained to the school authorities, after which the Jan Shikshak (public educator) informed the DEO. The education department took swift action and ordered a formal inquiry into the matter.