In Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone district, a Muslim guest teacher was publicly humiliated after he told his students to avoid wearing religious symbols in class. A viral video from Sandipani School in Bistan shows the teacher, Shahrukh Pathan, being forced by members of local Hindu organisations to hold his ears and do sit-ups while slogans were shouted around him.
Pathan, who was teaching Class 2 students, had reportedly advised them not to wear tilak on their foreheads or kalawa threads on their wrists. According to school staff, his intention was to encourage equality among children and reduce religious differences.
“Shahrukh Sir was not stopping the children with any wrong intent. He only wanted them to understand equality and respect for all,” a staff member said.
But the remark angered some parents and workers of the Sakal Hindu Samaj, who stormed the school demanding an apology. In the video, Pathan can be seen apologising under pressure and performing the humiliating exercise. He also submitted a written apology.
One of the organisation’s leaders can be heard saying: “This is very wrong. Children from all communities come here to study. This act insults religious sentiments and tries to distance children from their traditions.”
The group also demanded that the school’s principal, Balram Bhanwar, take action against the teacher.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many describing it as harassment of a minority educator. Critics stressed that Pathan’s effort was in line with promoting fraternity and social harmony, not an attack on religion.
“Teachers should be able to teach without fear of harassment,” said one education rights activist. “Forcing a teacher to apologise in such a humiliating way is unacceptable and sends the wrong message to students.”
