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A controversial order directing all schools in Rajasthan to observe December 6 – the day the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992 – as “Valour Day” was withdrawn by the government on Sunday after criticism from the opposition and Muslim groups.
During the withdrawal of the order, there was a huge contradiction in the statements of School Education Minister Madan Dilawar and Secondary Board Education Director Sitaram Jat. Dilawar said it is not possible to organize any other activity or program on the campus as the examinations are going on, while Jat said no such order was issued by him.
The order, issued on an official WhatsApp group on Saturday night, was withdrawn on Sunday morning citing “unavoidable circumstances”.
It reads, “Due to unavoidable circumstances the order has been withdrawn.”
According to the department, examinations will be held in schools on December 5 and December 6.
“Since examinations are going on in all the schools, it is not possible to organize any other activity or program on the campus. Therefore, the Shaurya Diwas programs have been postponed,” Dilawar said in a statement.
However, Sitaram Jat told PTI, “No such instructions have been issued to schools. I don’t know how it is being disseminated.”
He also said that earlier also an order in the same matter had been circulated on social media, which was rejected by the department on November 5.
In an order circulated late Saturday night, the Directorate of Secondary Education in Bikaner directed government and private schools to organize cultural programs to “inculcate patriotism” among students.
The instruction proposes essay competitions on various topics such as Indian cultural pride and the Ram Mandir movement, traditions of bravery and sacrifice and the role of youth in nation building.
Schools were asked to organize painting competitions on Ayodhya Ram temple and Indian warriors and display exhibitions on Ram temple.
This order was sharply criticized by Congress and Muslim groups.
Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasara said, “This government wants to teach children the day of demolition of Babri Masjid as bravery day. By doing this they will only work to destroy the religious environment.”
Congress spokesperson Swarnim Chaturvedi criticized the move, saying that the demolition of the Babri Masjid was “an act of crime” and accused the BJP government of “distorting historical events and attempting to burden schoolchildren with its political narrative”.
Mohammad Nazimuddin, general secretary of Rajasthan Muslim Forum, said, “Our country is a secular nation.”
He wondered, “How can the government force students to celebrate the demolition of a mosque.”
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