Bhopal: A Muslim government school teacher in Burhanpur district, Madhya Pradesh, has been suspended after being accused of teaching students Islamic prayer postures under the pretext of yoga. The suspension followed protests led by the Hindu Jagran Manch, triggering communal tensions in the region.
The teacher, Jaboor Tadvi, was conducting a yoga session at the Government Middle School in Deohari village when some parents alleged that he was “making students perform namaz.” Tadvi denied the allegations, explaining that the posture in question was Shashankasana, a recognised yoga asana that resembles a prayer position.
District officials said complaints were received during the Diwali break, prompting the in-charge principal to report the matter to the District Education Officer. A team was then sent to investigate. Following local protests, Tadvi was suspended pending an inquiry.
“We have initiated an investigation after receiving the report,” said Additional Collector Veer Singh Chauhan. Hindu Jagran Manch’s district coordinator Ajit Pardeshi claimed the teacher’s act was deliberate and accused him of hurting Hindu sentiments.
In response, Tadvi called the accusations “baseless” and said he was following government guidelines to promote yoga among students. “The children were performing a yoga pose, not namaz,” he stated on social media, urging authorities to hear his side.
Muslim community members and social activists have condemned the suspension, calling for an impartial inquiry and warning against communalising a yoga-related misunderstanding.
