The government of Jammu and Kashmir has prohibited the education department from instructing students or staff to take part in political events or rallies. The action comes after a controversial directive mandating school involvement in an ABVP-organized Tiranga rally drew backlash.
The government of Jammu and Kashmir has prohibited the education department from instructing students or staff to take part in political events or rallies. The action comes after a controversial directive mandating school involvement in an ABVP-organized Tiranga rally drew backlash.
The school heads were instructed by the relatively unpopular circular to send 40–50 students and two teachers to the Tiranga rally organized by the ABVP, a student wing of the RSS. This was condemned outright as the PDP accused the government of exploiting the education machinery for its political propaganda.
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“All officers, including Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education Officers, and heads of institutions, are instructed not to grant permission or issue directions for students or staff to participate in any political event or rally organised by any political party or organisation,” as reported by PTI.
Last week, Education Minister Sakina Itoo stated that Chief Education Officers are responsible for ensuring that district authorities adhere strictly to this policy. They ought to submit details of such breaches immediately to the District in-charge Director of School Education.
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The earlier order was met with strong condemnation from the PDP. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was attacked by Waheed Para, who pointed out a conspicuous disparity in Abdullah’s position pre- and post-election.
“Omar Abdullah, who previously denounced such orders, now permits these obvious decisions, labeling them the only so-called ‘achievement’ of his government in the past 100 days,” Para stated on X.
Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti (the president of PDP), also condemned the government’s decision, calling it unacceptable. She claimed that the administration is exploiting students for ideological purposes. She stated, “Coercing students from Poonch’s private and public schools to participate in an ABVP rally legitimizes anti-Muslim prejudice.”
This followed an order from the Doda youth services and sports officer, who assigned four officials to oversee a kabaddi and wrestling championship organized by the ABVP. Iltija Mufti highlighted this issue, stating, “When the government does not tackle problems such as the transparency deficit in recruitment, it resorts to revisiting reservation policies and organizing ABVP events in schools.”
After public backlash, the deputation order was swiftly rescinded.
The newest prohibition seeks to reaffirm that educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir are neutral and free from political influence.
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