After UP principal expels Muslim student for bringing biryani, AMU, JMI ex-VCs write to CM demanding probe

NEW DELHI: Former vice-chancellors of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), and ex-chief election commissioner of India among others have written to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath to investigate the shocking incident in Amroha, UP, wherein a school principal expelled a Class 5 Muslim students for bringing non-vegetarian food, biryani, to the class. The decision to suspend the student “violates the basic principle of equality” written in the Indian Constitution, the statement read.

Alliance for Economic and Educational Development of the Underprivileged (AEEDU), which promotes modern education and reforms among India's marginalized communities, especially minorities, in a statement said: “At a time when the entire nation, regardless of religion and language, wants the underprivileged to secure education, a shocking news came purportedly from Amroha, UP, wherein a school Principal has apparently given detention to a student of class five on the ground of carrying nonvegetarian food.”

“The news claims that the principal has already expelled the child, and the video that is circulating has disturbed us all as it shows the principal making inappropriate comments unbecoming of a man holding the post,” the statement read.

Urging UP CM Yogi Adityanath to get the matter investigated and take appropriate corrective action as per law, the officials said: “In our minds, this violates the basic principle of equality for all enshrined in the constitution, besides violating the ethical framework of providing education to the needy.”

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Why was UP Muslim student suspended?

On Teacher’s Day 2024, a video purportedly showing a heated argument between the mother of the Class 5 student and the principal of Hilton Convent School on non-veg food went viral on social media platforms. The principal was seen using derogatory remarks to describe the student and accused the student of wanting to "convert everyone to Islam and destroy Hindu temples".

His mother, however, was heard arguing that her son for the past three months has been complaining about the “Hindu-Muslim” remarks being made by other students and that he was not allowed to sit in class since morning on grounds that he brought non-veg food to class.

The principal, who has been facing strong criticism for his remarks, was also seen saying in the viral video that he refuses to teach those who bring non-vegetarian foods to school.