HRD ministry takes serious view of Allahabad school's ban on national anthem

Following reports that a school in Allahabad had refused to allow recital of the national anthem by students and staff members on Independence Day, the Centre on Monday said it has taken a serious view of the incident and emphasised that the anthem is "above all".

Speaking to reporters, Minister of State for HRD Mahendra Nath Pandey said the HRD ministry had taken serious note of the issue. He said it would be examined if the school comes under the ambit of the HRD ministry and if so action will be taken against it. The national anthem is above all, the minister emphasised.

Earlier there have been reports that the school disallowed the national anthem claiming that its words violated the tenets of Islam, following which eight teachers, including the principal, quit in protest.