The Centre on Monday denied media reports that the HRD Ministry has asked CBSE-affiliated schools to remain open on December 25, the Christmas Day, to observe it as Good Governance Day as a token of respect to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malaviya.
With the issue triggering a row in Parliament, top Central Ministers, including Smriti Irani, dismissed the media reports which said Navodya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) — an autonomous body of HRD Ministry — has asked all its schools to observe December 25 as ‘Good Governance Day’.
While the HRD Ministry too issued a Press statement completely denying issuance of any circular, the facts remains that in a circular dated December 10, the NVS asked its schools to celebrate the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as well as Madan Mohan Malaviya on December 24-25 “in its true spirit” by holding activities like declamation contests, quiz competitions and screening of documentaries related to good governance.
“You are requested to ensure that Good Governance Day is celebrated in all JNVs under your region,” the circular issued by NVS Commissioner GS Bothyal to the principals of all JNVs said.
The issue, as reported in media, triggered uproar in Parliament with members from the Congress, the AIADMK and the left demanding an explanation from the Government. The Opposition parties termed as “offensive and unjustifiable” the move to keep schools open on Christmas and demanded its withdrawal saying it was an “assault” on the religious right of Christians.
While the Rajya Sabha was adjourned thrice during the pre-lunch session following pandemonium over the circular and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asserting the media report factually false, the lok Sabha too witnessed uproar and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu stating that no circular has been issued in this regard.
Outside Parliament, HRD Minister Smriti Irani dismissed as “baseless and inaccurate” the media report suggesting that schools would remain open on December 25 to observe ‘Good Governance Day’. “It is unfortunate that misreporting has been deliberately done...Controversy has been created to grab headlines. December 25 is Christmas and will be celebrated like that and schools will be shut. The intention is to make me keep on giving explanations on this,” said Irani.
Irani further said the essay competition that the schools JNVs would be organising would be “voluntary” in nature and conducted online. “All schools closed for X’Mas, essay competition only online,” later the HRD Minister tweeted.
“This is to clarify that CBSE has not directed any schools to remain open on December 25. All schools will follow their vacation schedule, including holiday on December 25 as specifically clarified by CBSE. CBSE has neither issued any circular on its website nor issued any instructions to any schools for remaining open on December 25,” said the HRD Ministry Press release clarifying on the subject.
“In view of this, no child or student will be deprived of celebrating the holidays or vacations or participating in their own festivals and religious festivals wholeheartedly,” said the HRD Ministry statement. This is not the first time that HRD Ministry has come in the line of fire in the recent months including handling of the four year degree programme in Delhi University and study of Sanskrit in the schools.