“True education knows no bias; when discrimination taints the pursuit of knowledge, the essence of learning is lost to the darkness of ignorance.”
Gujarat : A recent incident at Shri K. T. Patel Smriti Vidyalaya in Mehsana district has raised concerns over religious bias in educational institutions. Arnazbanu, a high-achieving Muslim student, was left disappointed after being denied an award at the school’s Independence Day function. Despite securing the top position in Class 10 with an impressive 87% score, she was not given the recognition she deserved.
Arnaz banu’s father, Sanwar Khan, expressed his disappointment, saying, “My daughter informed us that the award meant for her was given to a student who secured the second position. I engaged with school authorities and teachers seeking an explanation, but their responses were vague. While they promise the reward will be presented on January 26, my question remains – why wasn’t it granted on August 15 ?
The school’s principal, Bipin Patel, denied any discrimination and stated, “Our school strictly opposes all forms of discrimination. The deserving student will certainly receive her reward on January 26th. It’s noteworthy that she was absent on the scheduled day, which affected the presentation.
Sanwar Khan contested this, asserting, “My daughter did attend school that day, contrary to what the principal claims. The school has CCTV cameras, which can provide the necessary clarification.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media platforms, with activists and citizens expressing their discontent. The incident highlights ongoing challenges related to religious bias in educational institutions and underscores the importance of equal treatment and recognition for all students’ achievements.
This controversy serves as a reminder that despite progress, issues of discrimination and bias continue to persist, impacting students’ experiences in schools across the country.
