Damoh School Hijab Row: MP High Court Gives 4 Weeks To State Govt To Decide On School's Reply To Its Suspension Order

The Madhya Pradesh High Court (Jabalpur bench) recently directed the Competent authorities of the State Government to decide on the representation filed by Ganga Jamuna School (Damoh) in response to the Government's order suspending its recognition last month.

The Damoh-based school is presently facing a probe by the state government on the allegations that the school management was forcing its non-muslim students (Hindus and Jains) to wear hijabs. The matter came to light in May this year after a poster, hailing state board exam toppers, was pasted outside the school premises containing pictures of non-Muslim girls wearing hijabs. 

An FIR was also lodged against the school's top officials for allegedly forcing the school students to wear a hijab, scolding them for wearing a tilak, and making Urdu a mandatory subject, etc.

Following this controversy, the Madhya Pradesh Education Board, on June 2, suspended the registration of the Ganga Jamna School by issuing a circular. Challenging the same, the petitioner society had moved the High Court. 

Before the bench of Justice Gurpal Singh Ahluwalia, the petitioner submitted that due to the suspension order of the state government, the career of 1208 students has come under a cloud. It was further submitted that its representation/reply against the suspension order is pending before the concerned authority.

On the other hand, the State Government submitted that all 1208 students, who were earlier studying in the school in question, have already been accommodated in other schools as per their entitlement and if any instance is brought to the notice of the authorities, then the said student(s) will also be accommodated in other schools.

It was further informed to the bench that the school has already filed its reply to the suspension order, which is pending consideration before the authorities.

In view of this submission, the Court disposed of the petition with a direction to the respondents no.1 to 4/competent authority to take a decision after considering the reply and to proceed in accordance with the law within 4 weeks.

Appearances

Advocate Uttam Maheshwari for the petitioner. Deputy Advocate General Veer Vikrant Singh for the respondents.

Case title - Ganga Jamuna Welfare Society vs The State of Madhya Pradesh

Case Citation:

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