Patna: The state govt has transferred the principal and a teacher from a school in Gaya district following a controversy over a prayer conducted in Urdu. An investigation into the matter has also been ordered, an official confirmed on Thursday. The principal, a woman, and the male teacher — both from different religious backgrounds — were posted at a school in the Jamalpur area under Aanti police station’s jurisdiction. According to officials, district education officer Om Prakash reassigned both academics to different institutions within the district on deputation and has sought explanations from them regarding the incident. It has been alleged that the male teacher recently filmed a video of the Urdu prayer without the principal’s consent. “Prayers in govt schools are generally conducted in both Hindi and Urdu on a regular basis,” Prakash told PTI. The situation escalated further as both principal and the teacher filed complaints against each other with the police. In his complaint, the teacher claimed that on March 8, a group of people approached him, demanding the video. They allegedly assaulted him for recording the Urdu prayer. Meanwhile, the principal accused the teacher of making personal attacks against her. “The department is investigating the matter and appropriate action will be taken against both individuals once the inquiry report is submitted,” Prakash said. On the surface, it appears that attempts were made to disrupt social harmony in the area, he added.
