Smriti Irani recalls Christmas day order to DU
The MHRD had on December 12 sent a letter to all central universities which said, "The birth anniversary of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Former Prime Minister of India will be observed as a 'Good Governance Day' on 25th December, 2014.
After asking Delhi University colleges to celebrate December 25 as 'Good Governance Day' by organising seminars and competitions on oratory, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has now, following an uproar over it, shot off another letter asking colleges to organise the function without disturbing Christmas Day celebrations.
The MHRD had on December 12 sent a letter to all central universities which said, "The birth anniversary of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Former Prime Minister of India will be observed as a 'Good Governance Day' on 25th December, 2014. On this day, a seminar on the topic of 'Use of Technology and Innovations in promoting Good Governance' and a competition on Oratory (Bhaashan Shailee) are to be organised in all the central universities and colleges under the purview."
HRD Minister Smriti Irani received flak on Monday after it was reported that CBSE schools might have to remain open on Christmas Day following the ministry's directive. However, Irani clarified on Monday that there is no cancellation of Christmas holiday in schools and only a voluntary online competition, not requiring students to go to school, was being conducted.
The second letter, sent on December 15, said: "I would request you to organise the seminar on the topic of 'Use of Technology and Innovations in promoting Good Governance' and a competition on Oratory (Bhaashan Shailee) in such a manner that Christmas holidays are not disturbed. Therefore, the celebrations relating to the birth anniversary of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee may be completed prior to Christmas break by all the central universities and colleges under the purview."
The first letter signed by Joint Secretary Sukhbir Singh Sandhu said: "I would request you to send a compliance report on observance of 'Good Governance Day' and on holding of oratory competition in your university to the ministry."
A principal, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that his college had received the first letter a few days ago and the second one on Tuesday.
University teachers criticised the decision to impose celebrations. Abha Dev Habib, a professor at Miranda House, said: "It is unfortunate to see that the government is using public sector machinery to glorify BJP by identifying it as the sole provider of good governance. It is one thing to organise an event to highlight significance of some political leader and another to use government institutions to make events compulsory (by seeking compliance reports). This will in due time be used to isolate and target those who will not comply."