Uttar Pradesh : Kanpur school makes students recite ‘Kalma’ for ‘equality’

New Delhi – A huge controversy unfolded in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur after reports of children being taught ‘Kalma’ in ‘Florets International School’ came to light. Senior officials of the UP Police and administration reached the school on 1st August after the case gained momentum when a video of a tweet went viral on 31^st July. The UP Police has filed a complaint against the private school.

When the Police questioned the school management, it clarified that prayers of all 4 religions were recited at the school during the morning assembly to boost the ‘Sarva Dharma Samman’ ideology.

UP: School in Kanpur forces Non-Muslim students to recite ‘Kalma’ to promote ‘Sarva Dharma Samman’ ideology, switches to the national anthem after outrage https://t.co/x4vRExbDDz

— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) August 1, 2022

• Ankita Yadav, Principal of the School said, “We have prayers for all 4 religions. We want to teach the students that all religions are equal. But, now we are getting into issues over it and from 30th July itself we have taken action against this. From today we have stopped these prayers and started singing the National Anthem in the assembly”.
• A parent said, “My son studies here. For the past few days, my son was reciting the ‘Kalma’ at home. My wife raised concern about it. When we spoke to our son, he said that every day after prayer, the school teaches it to them. My concern is why should my son read this ? What if he disapproves of his own religion after some days ?” Meanwhile, an inquiry has been ordered into the matter based on the investigation report of the Police. ACP Nishank Sharma said, “We came to know about ‘Kalma’ being taught to students at the Florets International School through a tweet. After objections, the school authorities decided that only the National Anthem will be recited during the assembly”.

 What is Kalma ? 

The formal content of the shahada (Declaration of faith) – “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”.

Editorial viewpoint

With the Principal believing or claiming that reading the ‘Kalma’ is for ‘equality’, it would not be wrong if someone questions the intention of the school’s administrators !