Karnataka headmaster, who held essay competition on Prophet, suspended

Story by IANS | Posted by Tripti Nath | Date 29-09-2022

A representational image of suspension

Gadag (Karnataka)

Karnataka Education Department on Thursday suspended a school headmaster in Gadag district for allegedly holding an essay writing competition on Prophet Mohammad for school students.

The suspended head master is identified as Abdul Munaaf Bijapur of Naagavi village Government Secondary School in Gadag taluk.

Quoting the Block Education Officer, ANI tweeted:

Karnataka: Inquiry ordered after headmaster of a govt school in Gadag dist heckled by some people over essay competition on Prophet Muhammad

I'll get complaint copy & info by headmaster & students. I'll forward info to Dy director of state education dept: Block Education officer pic.twitter.com/b0b7kmV7EZ
— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2022

Additional Commissioner, Department of Public Instruction Sidramappa S. Biradara has issued the suspension order for the headmaster for holding the essay competition without any direction from the department or any government agency. According to Education Department sources, the head master conducted the competition for 43 students of the school and assured them of rewards. He had also distributed books titled "Mohammad for all" and "Only one Prophet" to the students.

The department had stated that suspension order had been issued as the headmaster had committed a mistake being in a position of responsibility and the allegations on him are proved prima facie in the inquiry.

Workers of Sri Rama Sene had protested in front of the school and questioned the headmaster for holding an essay competition on the Prophet. They had also alleged that religious fundamentalism is being forced upon school children and demanded the headmaster's suspension.