KOLAR: A headmistress was on Tuesday suspended for allowing Muslim students to offer prayers on Fridays at a school in Mulbagal. Kolar ZP CEO Ukesh Kumar ordered the Block Education Officer to suspend Uma Devi, the headmistress of Mulbagal Someswara Palaya Bale Changappa Government Kannada Model Higher Primary School.
The issue had taken a religious angle after Hindu organisations protested against Devi. They had alleged that her action amounted to promoting a religion in the school. The headmistress had allowed 20 students to offer prayers on Friday in a vacant classroom, sparking the controversy. Ukesh Kumar said he had instructed Deputy Director of Public Instruction Revana Siddappa to visit the school, conduct an inquiry and submit a report. Accordingly, officials conducted the inquiry and submitted the report.