Questions raised at letter directing principals to send students to ABVP convention

Friday, 24 February 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN

In an incident which has raised eyebrows and invited severe criticism from the opposition parties, a senior officer of the Education department directed his subordinates that the students of classes IX and XI should be sent to attend a convention of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

In a letter written by the then chief education officer (CEO) of Almora, Satya Narayan on February 13, directions were given to principals of seven Inter colleges and government girls inter colleges that the students should be sent in the district level convention of the ABVP. This convention was held at the Nanda Devi premises on February 16. In the letter the CEO directed that the students of classes IX and XI should be sent to the ABVP district level convention along with two teachers.

Incidentally the CEO was transferred from his position three days after he wrote the letter. However his transfer was reportedly a routine one and was done along with many other officers. What is interesting to note is that the students were asked to be sent to the convention of a political outfit at a time when their examinations were less than a week away. The letter of the CEO is also in clear violation of the orders of the government that the students should not be sent in programmes associated with any political party.