Indian school accused of segregating Muslim students
Parents allege religion-based segregation, unequal treatment in state of Madhya Pradesh school amid rising Islamophobia concerns
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A private school in central India is facing allegations of religious segregation and discriminatory treatment of Muslim students, in a case that parents and local representatives say reflects deepening Islamophobia in parts of the country.
The controversy centers on the International School of Bombay in Indore, a major city in Madhya Pradesh state. Parents allege that the school conducted two separate annual functions in February — one for Muslim students and another for non-Muslim students, largely Hindus — and that classroom sections are informally divided along religious lines.
Several Muslim parents from Khajrana, one of Indore’s most densely Muslim neighborhoods, said their children were assigned to specific sections identified internally as “M” classes, which they claim consist primarily of Muslim students. A teacher at the school confirmed she handles “M” sections for certain grades, though she denied any communal bias.
Parents also alleged disparities between the two annual events held at a city auditorium on consecutive days. According to accounts shared with reporters, the function for Muslim students was shorter, had no chief guest and received limited institutional coordination, while the event for non-Muslim students was more elaborate and attended by invited dignitaries.
Some parents further claimed that individuals wearing visibly Muslim attire were denied entry into the venue, allegations the school administration has rejected.
When approached for comment, school officials denied discrimination, stating that the institution provides equal opportunity to all students. One parent who defended the school argued that separate arrangements were made to accommodate the Muslim festival of Shab-e-Barat, though critics say the explanation appeared reactive after videos circulated on social media.
The dispute has drawn political attention. A local elected representative from the opposition Congress party said she had raised the issue with school authorities and warned of escalating the matter to the state government if concerns are not addressed. No formal police complaint or court case has been filed so far.
India, home to nearly 200 million Muslims, has seen a rise in reported incidents of anti-Muslim discrimination and social polarization in recent years, particularly in states governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Rights advocates say educational spaces have increasingly reflected broader ideological tensions.
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