In a recent incident that has sent shockwaves across the nation, a teacher at Government Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in Delhi’s Gandhi Nagar locality has come under scrutiny for allegedly making derogatory and Islamophobic remarks targeting Muslim students in her class. The incident comes on the heels of the uproar caused by the “slap gate” case in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar.
The accused teacher, identified as Hema Gulati, reportedly engaged in the offensive behavior on August 23. She allegedly hurled communal slurs and offensive comments at Muslim students, invoking their religious beliefs and practices. Parents of the affected students filed complaints against Gulati, highlighting her abusive conduct within the classroom. The incident garnered significant attention, leading to a protest by students and their families outside the school premises.
The Delhi Police responded to the complaints, initiating legal proceedings against Gulati for her alleged communal remarks. Authorities have registered a case against her under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 153 A (promoting enmity between different religious groups), Section 295 A (insulting religious beliefs), and Section 298 (intention to wound religious feelings).
The accused teacher’s comments reportedly encompassed a range of offensive remarks. One student, who spoke in a video that went viral on social media, detailed the teacher’s derogatory statements about Islamic holy sites and practices. Another student recounted being told that their holy scripture, the Qur’an, was inconsequential compared to other religious texts.
The incident has sparked outrage among parents and the community. Kausar, a mother of two students who attend the school, demanded the immediate dismissal of the teacher and called for a ban on her teaching anywhere else. She said that the teacher’s divisive comments not only hurt the sentiments of students but also propagated discord among them.
The Delhi Police assured that strict legal action will be taken against Gulati. DCP Shahdara Rohit Meena confirmed that the department had received a complaint about the incident and is actively investigating the matter.
Juvenile Welfare Officers and counselors are engaging with the affected students to provide support and guidance.
