NHRC issues notices over religious lessons in Hyderabad school

The National Human Rights Commission has sought an Action Taken Report from Telangana authorities over allegations that a private school in Saidabad made Islamic religious lessons and prayers compulsory for students. The Commission has directed an inquiry and sought a report within two weeks

Hyderabad: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Telangana authorities over allegations that a private school in Saidabad made Islamic religious lessons and prayers compulsory as homework for students.

Acting on a complaint, the NHRC issued notices to the Director of School Education, the Hyderabad District Magistrate and the Hyderabad Police Commissioner, directing them to inquire into the allegations and submit a report within two weeks.

---

According to the complaint, the school in Saidabad allegedly assigned Islamic religious lessons and prayers through official school diaries. It further claimed that the school management failed to provide a satisfactory explanation when parents questioned the practice, describing the entries as a mistake despite similar instructions appearing repeatedly.

The Commission observed that the allegations, if found to be true, prima facie appeared to involve violations of the human rights of the students.

The NHRC bench has taken cognisance of the matter and directed the authorities to conduct an inquiry and submit their findings.