However, on Sunday the school, in a one-line statement, tendered an apology after the drastic step triggered protests from students.
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Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Biology teacher who wished to remain anonymous told Indian Express, “The principal was absent for two months”.
Reports in the local media said the DPS management had sacked a female teacher after she refused to accept the management’s directive not to wear the Abaya inside the school.
J&K Education Minister Naeem Akhtar also commented on the issue saying that Jammu and Kashmir is a multi-cultural and multi-religious state.
Seemingly angry over school’s decision in the poll season, the Mehbooba Mufti-led government sent a stern message to the DPS management saying Jammu and Kashmir was not France where the government or any institute could decide the dress code for the people.
Scores of students gathered in the main ground and protested against the administration for barring the teacher from wearing the Islamic dress.
They said recently a female teacher was reprimanded by school authorities for wearing Abaya.
“She left the job in protest – protesting school’s interference in religious affairs!” students said. We have a secular fabric.
The issue also reached the Jammu and Kashmir state Assembly on Saturday with independent MLA Langate Sheikh Abdul Rasheed raising the issue. “She categorically told me that Islamic dress is not allowed on the school premises”, the report quoted the teacher as saying.
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Akhtar was referring to the law in France banning school staff from wearing garments displaying a religious allegiance.
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Veteran Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani sought “unconditional apology” from the DPS management.
