Gurgaon: Mewat student who alleged conversion ‘quits’ studies

Naming a teacher, he had complained on July 28 that the teacher and the senior students forced him “to offer namaz and embrace Islam”.

Gurgaon: A 14-year-old student, who had complained against a teacher of Mewat Model Public School at Madhi village in Mewat on July 28, has dropped out from the school and refused to study further.

Thee Hindu students of Mewat Model School claimed on July 28 that they were forced by teachers and senior students to ‘offer namaz and embrace Islam’. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)

The boy, who once wanted to become a doctor, does not want to visit school anymore, said his parents. His parents said the boy has packed his bag and kept in his bed box, asking his parents not to force him to study further.

The class 9 student is in trauma and says his dreams are shattered now. According to his parents, he is scared to even venture out of the house. Naming a teacher, he had complained on July 28 that the teacher and the senior students forced him “to offer namaz and embrace Islam”.

Two of his fellow students had also raised similar charges on July 22 but did not name any teacher. The students had sought School leaving certificates.

Officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), a tehsildar and a sub-divisional magistrate had visited the school on July 28. They recorded students’ statements and sealed a computer lab following which two teachers Mubarik Ali and Mainuddin were suspended and another teacher Mohammad Arif, who was also hostel warden, was transferred to a school in Firozpur Jhirka.

Two students, who also lived in the school hostel, had dropped out and were admitted in a private school. The third one continued to go to school for some days but dropped out later.

“We are scared. I need safety and security for my son as the people are pressuring him to change his statement else he will have to face dire consequences. He is not eating food nor is he talking to us,” said 36-year-old Vijender Singh, the boy’s father.

The family wants to keep the child away from the atmosphere and even visited Kurukshetra on Saturday for his admission. “I went to three schools in Kurukshetra but they denied giving admission in mid-session and have asked to try next year,” said Singh.

Even the mother is under depression and said she could see her son’s dream shattering. “He was a bubbly child and kept everyone happy around him. His elder sisters are so fond of him but after the incident, he has restricted himself and has become an introvert,” said Kusum Mati, his mother.

The student alleged that people including school seniors are pressuring him to change his statement. His statement was recorded in front of Sushil Verma, member of Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Right, who visited the school on Friday.

The school had 207 students of which the trio were Hindus. There were eight teachers of which three were Hindus. Three teachers left the school after action, while two including principal are on leave after the incident.

Verma remained in the school for two days, and met students and teachers.

“The students were scared and under pressure to change their statements but they did not. They have told us entire episode of how they were forced by teachers and senior students to offer namaz five times a day and read Quran,” said Verma.

Verma said a report has been prepared and would be sent to the chairperson by Wednesday.

A team of Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Right got the student admitted in Jain Public School at Firozpur Jhirka but the student and the parents refused to keep him there anymore.

Khurshid Ahmed, chairperson Mewat Development Agency which runs the school, was unavailable for comments.