Mumbai: Following a disturbing incident at Dayanand Arya Kanya Vidyalaya in Nagpur, where Muslim students were reportedly denied admission on religious grounds, Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh has called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take swift and stern action against the management of the institution. He has also demanded a state-wide directive warning all educational institutions against any form of religious discrimination.
Rais Shaikh, who represents Bhiwandi East, revealed that the school in question allegedly issued an internal order to suspend admissions for Muslim students in the aftermath of recent communal unrest in Nagpur. According to him, despite available seats, the school secretary instructed staff to delay or deny admissions to applicants from the Muslim community.
“This is not only shocking but also unacceptable in a secular democracy,” Shaikh stated. “The school’s decision was reportedly communicated orally by the secretary, resulting in several Muslim students being unfairly kept on hold.”
Concerned parents have since lodged a complaint with the Jaripatka Police Station and the State Minorities Commission. Authorities have registered a case under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita against the school secretary, Rajesh Lalwani, and a teacher, Simran Gyanchandani, for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
Calling the incident serious and deeply troubling, MLA Shaikh said, “The school management must face consequences. The government must issue clear instructions to all schools across Maharashtra to prevent such acts of discrimination from recurring.”
Shaikh further highlighted the broader context of national unity, pointing to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. “Indians of all faiths stood together in solidarity. At a time when the country is showing unity, this act of bias in Nagpur is particularly shameful.
The School Education Department and the Minorities Commission must respond decisively,” he added. The incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of constitutional principles in educational institutions, ensuring that students are never judged or excluded based on their religion. The school did not respond to an email from the FPJ.
