VHP alleges 'soft conversion' in Hyderabad school, seeks action

New Delhi, Jul 16 (PTI) The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday demanded action against a private school in Hyderabad where a Class 2 student belonging to Hindu faith was allegedly asked by a teacher to learn an Islamic verse, describing it as a case of "soft conversion" of children in a planned manner. A controversy erupted after parents of a Class 2 student at a private school in Hyderabad alleged their six-year-old son was asked to learn an Islamic verse as part of his homework. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said schools are not centres for imposing religious education, demanding strict action against the "guilty" school management. "Schools are temples of knowledge, not centres for imposing religious education, the Kalma or such agendas. The incident of teaching the Kalma to an innocent Class 2 student in Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad) is a direct assault on children's constitutional rights and parents' trust. Strict action should be taken against the guilty school management," he said in a post on X. "How can a teacher and the school issue an order demanding that a Hindu student recite the Kalma and Fateha" he questioned. Bansal alleged the school neglected the parents' grievances when they raised the issue. "The student's parents reached the school and questioned the authorities. The parents are demanding strict action be taken against the school management. "It is a clear case of the soft conversion of our children in a planned manner," he claimed. PTI ADI ARB ARB