Two Muslim teachers incite children to offer Namaz
Ajmer, Rajasthan, India 
25 September, 2024
Case Summary
Two Muslim teachers from Beawar Khas Senior Secondary School in Ajmer district, Rajasthan, were suspended for offering namaz and encouraging students to do the same. The teachers, Asma Parveen and Shagufta faced multiple complaints from the school administration and local villagers, leading to an investigation by the education department. Ajay Kumar Gupta, Secondary Education Officer of Beawar, confirmed that the teachers had been repeatedly warned but continued their actions. An inquiry committee, led by two school principals, investigated the matter and found the allegations to be true. As a result, Asma Parveen was suspended and transferred to the CBEO office. However, Shagufta, a second-grade teacher, could not be suspended at the local level. A report has been sent to the Joint Director’s office for further action against her. Despite the warnings, the teachers persisted, prompting the final complaints and the suspension of Asma Parveen. Acting Principal Mahendra Mali confirmed that Asma Parveen was relieved from duty, while the school awaits instructions regarding Shagufta’s position.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added as a religiously motivated hate crime under the prime category of 'Predatory proselytisation' of the tracker. Further, as per the details, the case has been placed under the sub-category- Proselytisation by brainwashing, manipulation or subtle indoctrination. Religious brainwashing essentially means the often subtle and forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up their religious beliefs to accept contrasting regimented ideas. Religious brainwashing also involves propaganda and manipulation. It involves the systematic effort, driven by religious malice and indoctrination, to persuade “non-believers’ to accept allegiance, command, or doctrine to and of a contrasting faith. Cases of such brainwashing are far more nuanced than direct threats, coercion, inducement and violence. In such cases, it is often seen that there is repeated, subtle and continual manipulation of the victim to induce disaffection towards their own faith and acceptance of the contrasting faith of the perpetrator. While subtle indoctrination is widely acknowledged as predatory, an element which is often understated in such conversions or the attempts of such conversion is the role of loyalty and trust which might develop between the perpetrator and the victim. Fiduciary relationships are often abused to affect such religious conversion. For example, an educator transmits the religious doctrine of a competing faith to a Hindu student. The Hindu student is likely to accept what the teacher is transmitting owing to the existence of the fiduciary relationship. The exploitation of the fiduciary relationship to religiously indoctrinated victims would also be included in this category. Since the underlying animosity towards the victim’s faith forms the basis of predatory proselytization, such cases are considered religiously motivated hate crimes. This incident at Beawar Khas Senior Secondary School can be classified as a case of predatory proselytisation, characterised by the use of brainwashing, manipulation, or subtle indoctrination. The actions of the two Muslim teachers in encouraging students to offer Namaz within the school premises reflect an attempt to influence young minds toward a specific religious practice, potentially exploiting their impressionability. It becomes important to understand here that the victims in this case were minors. This indicates a lack of consent and a genuine change of conscience. It is a well-established fact that children are more susceptible to manipulation since they are still developing emotionally, cognitively, and socially. Their brains are not fully matured, making them more vulnerable to influence and less capable of critically evaluating information. Moreover, subtle manipulation tactics can be difficult to detect, especially when employed by trusted authority figures in positions of influence. This makes it challenging for parents, to identify and address instances of religious manipulation. Consequently, cases involving religious manipulation of minors not only represent an infringement on an individual's religious freedom but also demonstrate a calculated strategy of targeting those who are less able to resist or understand the long-term implications of conversion, making it a significant case of religious-motivated hate crime. For this reason, this case has been added to the tracker.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
female
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