Allahabad school manager jailed, tension grips city

ALLAHABAD: Members of two religious groups clashed on Monday morning after the arrest of a private school’s manager for allegedly disallowing the singing of the

ALLAHABAD: Members of two religious groups clashed on Monday morning after the arrest of a private school’s manager for allegedly disallowing the singing of the national anthem at his institution in this Uttar Pradesh city.

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Authorities controlled the situation, tightened vigil, and arrested five people after clashes outside the school.

Zia ul Haq, manager of the MA Convent School, was arrested on Sunday night on charges of banning the national anthem in the morning assembly, and running the institution illegally without permission from the education department.

Trouble began on Friday when the school principal and eight teachers quit in protest against the alleged ban imposed by Haq.

They alleged that Haq disallowed the singing of the anthem as the phrase “Bharat Bhagya Vidhata” went against the tenets of Islam.

As news of the ban spread, VHP supporters and many residents staged a protest march outside the school on Sunday evening.

Haq’s arrest later at night aggravated the situation. His supporters marched to the school on Monday morning, and clashed with people who had gathered in protest against Haq’s ban. Authorities rushed forces to control the situation.