The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken action against the Telangana School Education Department, the Hyderabad District Magistrate, and the Commissioner of Police following complaints that a private junior college in Hyderabad mandated Islamic teachings and prayers for students using official school diaries. The NHRC, led by Member Priyank Kanoongo, received a complaint alleging that “Success the Junior College” in Hyderabad’s Saidabad enforced Islamic lessons and prayers as mandatory homework through school diaries. Parents raised concerns, but the school reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, dismissing the entries as errors despite their repeated occurrence.
The complainant argued that imposing religious teachings in a secular educational setting infringes on children’s rights and the secular nature of education. Seeking NHRC intervention, the complainant requested an investigation, appropriate action against the school management, and measures to prevent compulsory religious teachings in educational institutions. The NHRC, noting potential human rights violations if the allegations are true, invoked Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to address the issue.
In response, the NHRC instructed the Director of School Education, Government of Telangana, the District Magistrate, and the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, to probe the allegations and furnish an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks for review. Additionally, the authorities were directed to share a copy of the ATR with the NHRC via email for further assessment.
