Kolkata, Jan 6: A Madrasa headmaster was allegedly beaten up by Maulanas (Teachers in Madrasa) after he stressed on teaching national anthem in the Islamic school. The headmaster, Kazi Masum Akhtar, was thrashed and has been banned from entering the premises of Talpukur Aara High Madrasa for teaching national anthem to his students. Also Read - War on 'Love Jihad'? Yogi Govt Likely to Bring Ordinance To Restrict Religious Conversion in UP

According to a report of India TV news, Kazi Masum Akhtar, who has a liberal mindset, was serving as headmaster in government recognised Talpukur Aara High Madrasa. When Akhtar started teaching national anthem to his students, the cleric and teachers of the school thrashed him. A fatwa was also issued by maulanas barring him from entering the premises of the school. (ALSO READ: Communal riots erupted in Malda after Muslims led violent protest on Kamlesh Tiwari remark; curfew imposed) Also Read - Fashion Designer Sharbari Datta Found Dead in The Washroom of Her Kolkata Residence

Kazi Akhtar, who dons shirts and trousers, has been facing the heat from the extremists working in the Madrasa. He was asked to send photos each week about the progress of his beard by maulvis, who also believe that singing the ‘Hindu’ national anthem and hoisting the Tricolour in an Islamic teaching institution are anti-Islamic. Also Read - Kolkata Lawyer Jailed For Life For Strangulating Husband to Death With Mobile Charger

Kazi Akhtar was also beaten up by iron rods in March when he launched a campaign in which he persuaded the parents of girls to allow them to continue their education and denounce child marriage. Helpless Akhtar had written letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Governor and the chairman of State Minorities Commission six times, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.

The irony here is it was in West Bengal that Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore had penned the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and state government paying no attention on the sensitive issue. The Police Commissioner also refused to provide security to Akhtar saying “his presence in the area might lead to communal tension”.