In Karnataka, the Congress government has stoked a controversy ahead of the Krishna Janmashtami and Ganeshotsav festivals. The outrage erupted after Dakshina Kannada District Director of School Education issued a circular on 16th July prohibiting the use of school playgrounds for non-academic purposes in Mangalore.
The Dakshina Kannada District Director of School Education has issued a circular to government, aided, and unaided schools stating that school grounds and buildings should not be used for non-academic purposes. The officer has also directed that no proposals be submitted to the Education Department for approval. The publication of this circular ahead of Ganeshutsava and Sri Krishna Krishna Janmashtami has provoked uproar among Hindu organisations.
“In any case, in government-funded/subsidized/non-subsidized schools, the school grounds/premises will be used for non-academic activities/purposes and permission will be given. Accordingly, all government/subsidized/non-subsidized schools in South Kannada district are advised to submit applications to this office for permission to use school grounds/premises. And at the school level, except non-academic activities, he said that permission should not be given to any other programs. In case of violation of this order, the concerned school head will be held liable,” the circular dated 16th July 2024 reads.
The authorities have warned that the school principals in question will be held accountable if this order is violated. While the order states that school grounds can’t be used for non-academic purposes, the order just ahead of Hindu festivals like Krishna Janmashtami and Ganeshotsav has been seen as an attack on the Hindu festivals. Reportedly the public Ganeshotsava festivities being held by village organisations on their own may be affected.
Notably, several Hindu rights organisations have raised objection to this directive. They say that people have for many years been organising Ganeshotsav and Janmashtami events in school playgrounds after obtaining permission. Harish Poonja, a BJP MLA from Belthangadi has demanded that the Congress government withdraw the outrageous order immediately.
Taking to X, Vishwa Hindu Parishad member Girish Bhardwaj accused the CM Siddaramaiah-led government of hatching a conspiracy to stop Ganesh Chaturthi, Janmashtami, and Saraswati Puja in schools and college grounds. He added that Siddaramaiah used the same grounds during elections for his rallies and campaigning.
Anti-Hindu Siddaramaiah's government's conspiracy to stop Ganesh Chaturthi, Janmashtami, and Saraswati Puja in schools and college grounds is evident. The Department of Public Instruction has issued a circular stating that school and college grounds should not be used for any… pic.twitter.com/GjF6Xmg7IE
— Girish Bharadwaj (@Girishvhp) July 18, 2024
“Anti-Hindu Siddaramaiah’s government’s conspiracy to stop Ganesh Chaturthi, Janmashtami, and Saraswati Puja in schools and college grounds is evident. The Department of Public Instruction has issued a circular stating that school and college grounds should not be used for any other purposes. However, the same grounds have been used by Siddaramaiah for his political rallies and election campaigning. This shows his conspiracy against Hindu festivals being celebrated on school and college grounds. If the government doesn’t want religious events on school grounds, then the government should stay out of temples. The government should withdraw its involvement from temples entirely,” Bhardwaj posted.
