On Friday, sources in Karnataka's Education Department said a teacher had been suspended for allowing students to do namaz inside the school premises in Kolar district.
It has been reported that Department of Public Instruction has suspended Ms. S.M. Umadevi, headmistress of Balechengappa Kannada Model Higher Primary School in Someshwarapalya.
Government schools have a duty to instill a sense of national integration. Teaching tolerance, practices, and traditions are important. However, allowing students to perform namaz in one of the classrooms fosters a divisive mindset," the suspension order stated.
It said the teacher's actions were indicative of negligence and dereliction of duty that would negatively affect learning and hinder the institution's progress overall.
It further stated that this conduct of the teacher does not suit the dignity of a government worker, and is against the Karnataka Civil Conduct Rules 1966, Section 3 (i) (ii) and (iii). Hence, the decision has been made to initiate action against the teacher, it said.
Umadevi has been suspended until further orders pending an inquiry. She has also been asked not to leave the district headquarters without permission.
The video of about 20 students performing namaz inside a classroom has gone viral on social media.