The Rajasthan government has revoked its controversial order that designated December 6, the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, as 'Shaurya Diwas' (Day of Valour) in both government and private schools. The sudden withdrawal has sparked allegations from human rights organizations that the move is merely superficial and aims to conceal the original intentions behind the directive.
Government's Conflicting Statements
The state's school education department officially disowned the order on Sunday, labeling the widely circulated document as "fake." In an official press statement, the department clarified that "no decision has been taken by this office or the education department regarding the event."
However, conflicting information emerged from Education Minister Madan Dilawar's office, which acknowledged issuing the directive. The order had been shared on Saturday evening through an official WhatsApp group and was subsequently withdrawn, with officials citing the ongoing half-yearly examinations as the reason for the retraction.
Behind the Controversial Directive
According to a senior official, discussions about such a celebration were indeed held in Education Minister Madan Dilawar's presence back in October. However, the idea was reportedly dropped after officials investigated whether any other state had ever organized a similar event and found no precedent.
"There is no instruction from the Union government or any other competent authority. Unless there is a mandate, such celebrations cannot be held in schools. This is a secular country," the official stated, emphasizing the constitutional position.
Contradicting this version, Minister Dilawar had previously told a television channel that kar sevaks had demonstrated "courage" by demolishing the structure and indicated that the date would be incorporated into the academic calendar to allow schools to mark it annually.
Civil Society Response and Constitutional Concerns
The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and other social organizations have rejected the examination-related justification for the withdrawal, describing it as "mere eyewash." These groups are demanding a clear explanation from Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma about whether the directive has been permanently withdrawn or merely postponed.
PUCL chief Kavita Srivastava highlighted that the order violated Articles 14, 15, and 25 of the Indian Constitution, which safeguard equality, secularism, and constitutional values in education. The organization has demanded an explicit assurance that the government will not introduce such events into the curriculum either now or in the future.
The controversy was further amplified by the unusual method of communication used. According to PUCL, the minister's private assistant initially shared the directive via WhatsApp and later sent the withdrawal message through the same informal channel, raising questions about the government's official procedures.
The proposed celebrations had included activities such as group 'surya namaskar', yoga sessions, and special prayer assemblies beginning with hymns and aarti dedicated to Lord Ram, adding to the contentious nature of the directive in a country that prides itself on secular principles.
