A Muslim teacher from Varanasi has alleged that she faced religious discrimination while searching for teaching jobs and was later asked to remove her hijab or leave a private school on her very first day of work.
Samreen Bano shared videos on social media claiming that many schools and families refused to hire her after learning about her religious identity. In one of the videos, she said Muslim teachers often face prejudice during interviews and tuition inquiries.
“In today’s time, it has become very difficult for a new Muslim teacher to grow professionally,” Samreen said. “People call us for interviews or demo classes, but once they find out we are Muslim, they refuse.”
She also claimed that children are sometimes influenced by negative stereotypes about Muslims before entering classrooms. “There is so much hatred that children are made to fear Muslim teachers even before knowing them,” she said.
According to Samreen, students initially kept their distance from her because of these preconceived ideas. “When they slowly understand us, they start talking normally. Our work is only to teach children and help them respect every religion,” she added.
The teacher further said Muslim educators regularly participate in school prayer activities without objection. “We stand with folded hands during prayers like everyone else. We never ask anyone to change their religion,” she said.
Teacher Says School Objected to Hijab
Around two weeks after her first video, Samreen uploaded another clip alleging that Buddha Public School asked her to either remove her hijab or quit the job.
She claimed that no dress-related condition had been mentioned during the interview process. However, on her first working day, the school administration allegedly objected to her hijab.
“This is total propaganda against Muslims,” Samreen said in the video. “If others can express their faith through sindoor and mangalsutra, why should my hijab become a problem?”
A short video circulating online appears to show a person linked to the school management telling her that if the school rules did not suit her, she was free to leave. In the clip, the person can be heard saying, “Not everyone is the same. Go wherever it suits you.”
Samreen alleged that the school’s actions violated her constitutional rights under Articles 19 and 25, which protect freedom of expression and freedom of religion.
