A recent official order from Rajasthan's Sriganganagar district has stirred a debate by prohibiting private schools from compelling students to dress as Santa Claus during Christmas celebrations. The directive warns of strict action against any institution, including those run by missionary and Christian trusts, found imposing such practices.
What Does The District Order Say?
The order was issued by the office of the Additional District Education Officer in Sriganganagar. It explicitly states that for the past few years, children in various schools have been made to dress up as Santa Claus on Christmas Day. The authorities have taken a firm stance against this, arguing that Sriganganagar district is a predominantly Sanatan area, with a majority Hindu and Sikh population and very few Christian families.
In this context, the order deems the organization of such programs and the "unnecessary pressure" on children to participate as unjustified. The directive aims to put an immediate stop to this practice, ensuring schools do not enforce cultural or religious activities that do not align with the local demographic fabric.
The Trigger and The Official Response
This administrative move was reportedly initiated following a letter sent to the district education office by an organization named the Bharat-Tibet Sahayog Manch. Notably, the national patron of this group is senior RSS functionary Indresh Kumar. The officer behind the order, Ashok Wadhwa, was unavailable for comment when sought.
However, the Rajasthan state government was quick to clarify that this directive did not originate from the state capital. An official from the office of Education Minister Madan Dilawar stated on Tuesday that no instructions on this matter were issued by the minister or the state education directorate. The official emphasized that "this decision was taken at a local level," distancing the state leadership from the controversial order.
Broader Implications and Cultural Sensitivities
This incident highlights the ongoing and delicate balance between festive celebrations in educational institutions and the preservation of local cultural identities. The order from Sriganganagar raises questions about inclusivity, freedom of educational institutions, and the role of local administration in regulating cultural expressions in schools.
While the state government has labeled it a local decision, the episode is likely to fuel further discussions on how secular festivals are observed in India's diverse educational landscape, especially in regions with specific demographic majorities. The involvement of a group linked to the RSS cadre adds a political dimension to the administrative action.
The coming days will reveal whether this order stands as an isolated district-level directive or influences similar decisions in other parts of the state, setting a precedent for how Christmas celebrations are conducted in schools across Rajasthan.
