In a controversial move, a school in Uttar Pradesh banned singing of national anthem, claiming that its words violated the tenets of Islam.
Reports said, Zia-ul-Haq, manager of the MA Convent school at Bhagara in Allahabad, asked students and staff not to sing the anthem and said the phrase 'Bharat bhagya vidhata' was anti-Islam.
"Only Allah can be the Bhagya Vidhata, which means the one who decides our destiny. How can we call Bharat our Bhagya Vidhata?," asked Haq.
The manager, in a verbal order, also banned slogans like “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” in the school premises.
Nine teachers, including the principal, have reportedly resigned protesting against the management decision. "Since we had been asked to fall in line or leave, we chose a decision based on our conscience," Ritu Tripathi, the principal, was quoted as saying by reports.
The school has around 330 students from nursery to eighth standard.
