Teacher attacked for not saying ‘Vande Mataram’ in Katihar

PATNA: A video clip of an Urdu teacher of a primary school in Katihar district being manhandled by a group of aggressive villagers for allegedly refusing to say ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ after flag-hoisting on the Republic Day went viral on social media on Thursday.
Sources said the incident occurred at a government primary school at Abdullapur village under Baghmara panchayat in Katihar district.The teacher was identified as Afzal Hussain.
Hareram Yadav, a local, told TOI over the phone on Thursday that panchayat secretary Mahadev Singh had submitted a written complaint to block education officer against Hussain. “However, no action has been taken yet. The teacher continues to come to school,” Yadav said.
The teacher has so far not lodged any complaint with the police.
In the video clip, children and villagers are seen raising slogans of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and manhandling the teacher for refusing to do so. However, three people visible in the video clip are seen pacifying the aggressive villagers and shielding Hussain.
DEO Dinesh Chandra said an inquiry had been ordered into the incident.