Srinagar, Jan 25: The Jammu and Kashmir government has prohibited the education department from instructing students or staff to partake in political events or rallies. This directive, communicated through a circular from the School Education Department, follows backlash against a previous notice that urged Poonch officials to involve students in a rally organized by the RSS-linked Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). That circular mandated Poonch’s Chief Education Officer to require schools to send 40-50 students and two teachers to the rally.
This move faced criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which accused the government of exploiting education for political propaganda. The latest circular states, “All officers, including Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education Officers, and heads of all schools within the School Education Department, are prohibited from granting any permission or giving direction for students or staff (including all categories of teachers) to participate in any political programs or rallies organized by any political party or organization.” This directive was shared on X by Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo.
The circular emphasizes that chief education officers must closely monitor compliance to ensure that no district authority contradicts this instruction. In case of any discrepancies, the respective Chief Education Officer must notify the relevant Director of School Education for further guidance.
On Friday, PDP leader Waheed Para criticized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, alleging that he previously condemned similar orders before elections but has since undergone a surprising transformation. “J&K government’s order, backed by the education department to endorse an ABVP rally and compel student participation, was denounced by Omar Abdullah before the elections. Now this apparent shift is the only ‘achievement’ touted by the government over the past 100 days,” he remarked on X.
PDP’s Iltija Mufti also voiced her disapproval, stating it is unacceptable for the government to “force” students to attend the Tiranga rally organized by ABVP. “The Education Department under the NC government has mandated that both private and public school students in Poonch participate in a rally organized by ABVP, which promotes anti-Muslim bigotry. Using education as a propaganda tool by coercing students to attend ideological events is unacceptable,” she posted on X.
Mufti further criticized the government after it was revealed that the Doda youth services and sports officer had ordered the participation of four officers at a kabaddi/wrestling championship hosted by ABVP. “Instead of addressing flawed reservation policies or ensuring transparent recruitment, the NC government facilitates ABVP events in schools throughout J&K. This anti-Muslim student organization is now permitted to host a Kabaddi tournament at the Indoor Sports Stadium in Doda,” she stated in a post.
The order to send officers was subsequently rescinded following the backlash. (Agencies)
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