A school in Karnataka apologised after coming under fire for allegedly playing 'Azan' (call to public prayer) and making students offer namaz at a cultural event.
The Mother Teresa Memorial School at Shankaranarayana town in Kundapur Taluk of Udupi district organised a sports meet, ahead of which a cultural programme was held.
During the event on Monday, the students were allegedly asked to perform Namaz and 'Azan' was played on the loudspeaker.
As the purported video of the event went viral, members of some Hindu organisations staged a protest in front of the school.
The school management apologised and admitted that it was a mistake to play 'Azan'.
In another purported video, the school teacher is heard saying that the prayer was organised to show harmony and equality in the society, but it was a mistake to play Azan. Some protestors countered saying that there cannot be any other song for national unity than the national anthem and the national song.
Some Hindu outfits staged a demonstration against the school management on Tuesday as well.
Mohan Gowda, spokesperson of the 'Hindu Janajagruthi Samithi', condemned the school management for ‘"forcing the Hindu students to perform Namaz".
In a statement, Gowda alleged that the school had in the past banned Hindu students from wearing Bindi on the forehead, bangles and anklets, which was against the Karnataka Education Act.
He said he would lodge a complaint with the National Child Rights Commission and the state education department.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
"Hindu, Muslim MLAs Sat Together": Himanta Sarma On Namaz Break Decision No 2-Hour Namaz Break In Assam Assembly On Fridays For Muslim MLAs Row Over Students' Demand To Offer Namaz In Kerala's Church-Run College "Government Can't Take Over...": Big Supreme Court Order On Private Property Madrasas In UP Can Function, Top Court Says High Court Erred In Judgment Who Will Win US Election 2024? AI Makes Stunning Predictions Meta Opens Its AI Models To US Defence Agencies And Contractors UGC Extends Deadline For Submission Of Arrears For Fellowships Trying To Recover From The Festive Binge? Follow These Detox Tips Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.