Prakash Javadekar slams Mamata Banerjee over I-Day programme for PM Narendra Modi's New India vision
Centre has issued a circular to states suggesting how Independence Day programmes should be held in schools. West Bengal has refused to follow the instructions.
Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar today slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for refusing to organise events in schools to "create fervour" around Prime Minister Narendra Modi's New India vision.
Javadekar termed the West Bengal government's decision to not celebrate Independence Day according to the New India pledge suggested by the Centre as "unfortunate" and hoped that "wisdom will prevail".
The Human Resource Development Minister said, "I am shocked at the language of the letter (issued by the West Bengal government)... It is very unfortunate that it has decided not to celebrate Independence Day 'in this manner', what is wrong with the manner that we suggested?"
WHAT IS THE ISSUE?
Ahead of Independence Day, the Centre has written to the states to organise events in schools towards creating a "patriotic mood" and a "mass fervour" to help realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'New India' vision.
However, West Bengal has instructed its schools to desist from following the Centre's circular. In a letter sent to all District Project Officers, the Sarva Shiksha Mission-West Bengal instructed them to stop "all preparations for the Independence Day in keeping with the circular dated July 25, 2017 of Manish Garg, Joint Secretary MHRD".
"It has been decided by the school Education Department that Independence Day 2017 will not be celebrated in this manner," said the letter dated August 11.
Responding to the development, Javadekar said, no one was compelled to follow the HRD Ministry's suggestions on the celebration of 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement and the 70th Independence Day, and that still everyone followed the instructions voluntarily.
THE CENTRE'S PLAN
To commemorate the Independence Day and Quit India Movement anniversaries, the HRD Ministry has issued a number of instructions to educational institutions.
The institutions have been instructed to conduct a pledging ceremony on freedom from communalism, casteism, poverty, terrorism and unhygeinic conditions, hold quiz competition on freedom struggle, encouraging students to pay visit to any martyr's memorial and organise painting competition between August 9 and August 30.
"These are secular agenda, national agenda, not a political agenda...I am very happy to see everyone participating voluntarily and posting pictures on our website," Javadekar added.
(With inputs from agencies)
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