4 days ago
Kolkata School Files Police Complaint Over Islamic Books, Curriculum Letter
A school in Kolkata received books about Islam and a copy of the Quran.
The package also included a letter asking the school to teach Islam and religious texts.
The school’s headmaster said the school does not teach the beliefs of only one religion.
He worried the package might be intended to create trouble.
The school reported the matter to police.
Police opened an investigation the next day.
They are checking security-camera footage and the sender’s details.
They have not yet identified who sent the parcel.
Jadavpur Vidyapith received Islamic religious books, including a copy of the Quran, on September 24.
An accompanying letter requested Islamic teaching and religious-text study be added to the school curriculum.
Headmaster Parthapratim Baidya said the state-run school does not promote one religion’s teachings.
The school filed an FIR at Jadavpur Police station on September 25.
Police are investigating the sender and examining CCTV footage around the school.
- Who
- Jadavpur Vidyapith, its headmaster Parthapratim Baidya, and Kolkata police are involved; the sender has not been identified.
- What
- The school received Islamic books, including the Quran, with a letter requesting Islamic teaching and religious-text study in its curriculum, then filed a police complaint.
- Where
- Jadavpur Vidyapith in Kolkata, near the Jadavpur University campus.
- When
- The parcel arrived on September 24, and an FIR was lodged on September 25.
- Why
- The school said it does not teach the tenets of one particular religion and suspected the delivery might be intended to stir up trouble.
Letter’s Curriculum Proposal
School Administration’s Position
Religious teaching in school
Letter’s Curriculum Proposal
The letter requested that Islamic teaching and the study of religious texts be included in the school syllabus.
School Administration’s Position
The headmaster said the school does not promote the teachings of one particular religion and supports an inclusive approach.
Purpose of the delivery
Letter’s Curriculum Proposal
The sender’s stated purpose, as described in the letter, was to seek Islamic teaching in the curriculum.
School Administration’s Position
The headmaster said some elements might have sent the parcel and letter to stir up trouble, while police investigate who actually sent them.
Key facts
- School
- Jadavpur Vidyapith, a state-run school in Kolkata
- Parcel contents
- Religious books on Islam, including a copy of the Quran
- Letter request
- Introducing Islamic teaching and religious-text study into the curriculum
- Parcel received
- September 24
- FIR filed
- September 25 at Jadavpur Police station
- Investigation
- Police are identifying the sender and examining CCTV footage
- School concern
- Officials cited the need to avoid trouble because thousands of children study there
Quotes
Parthapratim Baidya
Headmaster of Jadavpur Vidyapith
“We are a well-known state-run school and never instilled religious dogmatic views among our students. We believe in India's inclusiveness, where students cannot be taught the tenets of one particular religion. In the present situation, I believe some elements might have sent the letter and parcel to stir up trouble,”
freepressjournal.in
“Also keeeing in mind that our school building is located near the campus of Jadavpur University which had witnesd standoffs betweeen two groups of students, we don't want any trouble as thousands of children study here,”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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