Female Principal forced students to raise ‘Allahu Akbar’ slogans 16 times in the name of secularism in Seoni (MP)

Slogans raised after recitation of verses from the Bhagwadgeeta on Gita Jayanti

(‘Allahu Akbar’ means ‘Allah is Great’)

Seoni (Madhya Pradesh) – In a higher secondary school in the district, officiating Principal Pratiksha Mangadhe forced students present in the classroom to raise ‘Allahu Akbar’ (‘Allah is Great’) slogans 16 times. The incident occurred on 1 December, on Gita Jayanti. The students had first recited verses from the Bhagawadgeeta. Thereafter, the principal compelled them to raise the slogans. After the matter came to light, enraged parents and local Hindu organisations visited the school and demanded immediate suspension of the principal along with strict action against her.

1. District Education Officer S. S. Kumre stated that Pratiksha Mangadhe had asked all students to raise the slogans voluntarily  to respect communal harmony. He added that she has apologised to everyone for the incident.

2. Due to mounting pressure, the administration transferred Pratiksha Mangadhe to the District Education Office. Parents have lodged a complaint with the police and have demanded appropriate action.

Editorial Perspective

It would not be a surprise if someone demanded that such principal must be punished to go to a madarasa and ask Muslim students to raise ‘Jai Shriram’ slogan 16 times in the name of secularism. That would be an apt punishment for her.