PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The senior vice-president of Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee, Suryakant Dhasmana has written to the chief secretary, demanding an immediate ban on political activities and attempts to politicise government, government-aided and private schools in the name of ‘Seva se Sankalp’ programme.
In his letter, he said that in the name of ‘Seva se Sankalp’ programme, continuous efforts are being made to link government, government-aided and private schools with a particular political ideology, making them instruments for its publicity. “Schools are meant for building children’s future through education, and using these institutions for publicity of any political party or ideology is an extremely serious matter,” the Congress leader said.
He further alleged that the ruling party is trying to saffronise schools under the guise of ‘Seva se Sankalp’ programme being celebrated to mark the Prime Minister’s birthday. “Furthermore, instructions are being issued through departmental officers that it is mandatory to invite BJP leaders as chief guests for ‘Seva se Sankalp’ programme,” he said.
He demanded that clear instructions be issued that no school premises or government building be used for publicity of any political party and immediate ban be imposed on compulsory or forced participation of students and teachers in any political programme in schools. “ If political publicity is confirmed in any school through ‘Seva se Sankalp’ or any such programme, accountability of officers concerned and school management should be fixed and action should be taken as per rules,” he said.
