Kolkata: Liberal Muslim headmaster banned from Madrasa for teaching National Anthem

Kolkata, Jan 5: A Madrasa headmaster was allegedly thrashed by maulanas for teaching his students the "National Anthem" in Kolkata.

According to a report published in India TV, the headmaster, Kazi Masum Akhtar, has been banned from entering the premises of Talpukur Aara High Madrasa.

The report also said that the maulanas and clerics, who beaten up Akhtar are inclined towards Islamic terror group, ISIS.

They have reportedly termed singing the "Hindu" National Anthem and hoisting the Tricolour in an Islamic teaching institution as "anti-Islamic".

They have also issued a fatwa against Akhtar asking him to grow his beard and wear traditional kurta and pyjama, worn by Muslims.

To make sure that Akhtar implements their diktat, they have asked him to send his photograph every week, to check his beard is growing! Presently, Akhtar has a clean shave and he wears shirts, t-shirts and trousers.

Due to his liberal views, in March 2015 too, Akhtar was badly thrashed with iron rods that landed him in hospital for months.

Akhtar even claims that he has approached West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state Governor and the chairman of State Minorities Commission many times, but he is yet to get any response from them.

Akhtar also strongly bats for girls' education and abolition of child marriage, for which he had even launched a campaign to make people aware.

Even the Kolkata police seems to be helpless as they have expressed their inability to provide security to Akhtar, as it may lead to "communal tension".

Singing national anthem is duty of every Indian,WB Govt must take action-Maulana Khalid Rashid on Madrassa teacher pic.twitter.com/324urrIJwm

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 6, 2016

We condemn this incident: Mufti Syed Meraj Uddin Abrar(VP,Jamiat Ulema) on Madrassa teacher thrashed for teaching national anthem in Kolkata

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 6, 2016

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