Varanasi: Muslim teacher Samreen Bano alleges a Varanasi school forced her to remove her hijab or leave on her first day, despite no such condition during her interview. The incident at Buddha Public School in Latho follows her claims of widespread bias against Muslim educators.
In an Instagram video from 22 April, Bano lamented: "In today’s times, it is extremely difficult for a new Muslim teacher to grow professionally. I don’t know why, but everywhere you go this hatred has spread." She described children indoctrinated with prejudice, making classrooms unmanageable, and affirmed her respect for all faiths.
On 9 May, Bano posted another video claiming the principal objected to her hijab. She accused the school of breaching Articles 19 and 25 of the Constitution, noting other teachers wear sindoor and mangalsutra freely. "This is total propaganda against Muslims. The director has a problem with my hijab, when she herself does pooja in the morning," she said.
A shared clip captures management urging her to leave: "Please, go. Not everyone is the same. Go wherever suits you. If it doesn’t suit you, then just go," citing "equality."
Bano highlighted the irony, as the school never disclosed dress code rules upfront.