Ahmedabad: After representations, several parents along with right-wing activists protested at Anand Niketan school in Shilaj over a shard of glass found in the food served at the school. Things took a religious turn when protesters alleged that students were being made to compulsorily read “books from other religions”. The books are “I am Malala”, the autobiography of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai and “The Diary of Anne Frank” by German-born Jewish holocaust survivor Anne Frank.DEO Rohit Chaudhary stated that a show-cause notice has been issued to the school to explain the parents’ allegations. “The school has been directed to sack Lamiya Shums, a director of the school. The school has also been directed to appoint a principal forthwith,” the DEO said, adding that the school must also discontinue its catering services until a food safety certificate is obtained.On Tuesday, parents and right-wing activists protested after a piece of glass was allegedly found in a student’s snack. They also resorted to slogan-shouting outside the school, demanding action over Yousafzai’s autobiography.Addressing the allegations on Tuesday, school trustee Kamal Mangal had said, “We have a book club in the school. Every classroom has three books always available for students to read. One of these books was by the Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousufzai. A student outfit has apparently objected to this. The writer is a famous education activist and the book is not part of any curriculum.”Yousafzai was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman on a school bus in 2012 for pursuing education. She later became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in history.On the catering issue, Kosha Shah, a parent, had alleged that a child found a glass-like object and handed it to a teacher. While Shah claimed the incident required medical attention, Mangal clarified by saying, “In fact, he had spat it out. Scans showed he was not in danger”. Chaudhary also ordered refunds, stating, “The school has been directed to refund money to students who have made payments for snacks”.Education authorities had earlier issued a notice asking “why a penalty of Rs 10,000 per student should not be imposed.” School sources confirmed they are attempting to comply with all DEO directions, including the potential removal of the director and catering supervisor.
