Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Monday clarified that it was not “compulsory” for schools nationwide to ensure that students watch Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Teachers Day address.
She also said Teachers Day was not being renamed “Gurutsav’’ and the name only referred to an essay competition being organised as a part of the celebrations.
The Minister’s clarification, however, did not set apprehensions at rest as schools still have to send feedback forms to respective Education Departments on the number of students who saw the telecast.
Opposition-ruled Haryana, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh are among the States which have drawn up elaborate plans for children to watch Mr. Modi’s speech in schools. According to a principal of a Punjab-based school, the State Government has informed all schools that there would be surprise checks. Earlier in the day, Ms. Irani told the media that she was “appalled” by the opposition to the celebration of Teachers Day. On the allegation that the BJP was “misusing government machinery for political propaganda”, the Minister said, “If a Prime Minister wants to interact with students and teachers, it should not be politicised. He is the Prime Minister of the country and not the BJP.”
(Additional reportingby Smita Gupta and Anita Joshua)
