Teacher Alleges Obstruction to Offering Namaz During School Hours, Accuses Charilam School Inspector of Religious Interference

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, January 30, 2026

A controversy has surfaced in Charilam under Sepahijala district after a teacher of Dasdha S.B. School alleged that he has been obstructed from offering namaz during school hours, prompting a wider debate on religious freedom in educational institutions.

The teacher, identified as Khorshid Alam, has accused Charilam School Inspector Uttam Kumar Dutta of imposing restrictions that prevent him from offering namaz either inside the school premises or, on Fridays, by briefly stepping outside the school during working hours.

According to Khorshid Alam, he has been following the practice for many years of completing his classes early on Fridays and then leaving the school to offer namaz. He claims that this arrangement had never been objected to earlier. However, he alleges that after Uttam Kumar Dutta took charge as the School Inspector of Charilam, a ban was imposed on him from offering namaz during school hours, even outside the campus during his school duties.

The teacher has now taken his grievance to social media, appealing for his right to practice his religion. He has stated that denying him the opportunity to offer namaz amounts to an attack on religious freedom and goes against the constitutional right to practice one’s faith.

The allegation has triggered discussions among teachers and the local community, with many calling for clarity on whether such restrictions are permissible under service rules and constitutional provisions. As of now, there has been no official response from the School Inspector or the education department regarding the allegations.

The issue is gaining attention, with demands growing for a fair inquiry and clear guidelines to ensure that religious rights are respected without disrupting academic responsibilities.

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