A directive from Delhi's Directorate of Education (DoE) asking schools to appoint officials to handle stray dog matters has erupted into a full-blown political confrontation. The order, issued in compliance with a Supreme Court directive, has led to a heated exchange between the ruling BJP and the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), with accusations of misinformation and disrespect flying thick and fast.
The Core of the Controversy: What the DoE Order Says
The controversy stems from a recent DoE communication to schools across the capital. The directive mandates the appointment of nodal officers within educational institutions to coordinate on issues concerning stray dogs in their vicinity. The move is stated to be in adherence to an order passed by the Supreme Court of India. However, the interpretation and implementation of this order became the flashpoint for a major political dispute on Tuesday, December 31, 2025.
Political Accusations Fly: 'Campaign of Lies' vs 'Insult to Teachers'
Delhi's Education Minister, Ashish Sood, launched a sharp attack on the AAP, accusing the party of orchestrating a "coordinated campaign of lies." He specifically targeted claims circulating on social media, allegedly from AAP leaders, that government school teachers were being tasked with counting stray dogs. Sood categorically denied this, calling the claim "completely false."
He pointed to an official clarification issued by the DoE on Monday, which stated that no directions were given for assigning any stray dog-related duties to teachers. "If any such order exists, it should be made public immediately," Sood challenged, demanding an apology from the AAP for misleading Delhi's citizens if they could not produce it.
Responding swiftly, former Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal took to social media platform X to double down on his criticism. In a Hindi post, he questioned, "Will teachers in Delhi's government schools teach children, or will they count dogs on the streets instead?" He framed the order as evidence of the BJP government's misplaced priorities, arguing it was an insult to the teaching community.
Kejriwal contrasted this with his party's tenure, claiming, "When our government was in Delhi, we respected teachers... Today, the BJP government is bent on destroying everything."
Broader Allegations and Governance Claims
Minister Sood expanded his criticism, alleging a pattern of behavior from the AAP aimed at creating administrative chaos through false narratives. He described it as a strategy of "lies, noise and rumours" rather than substantive political engagement. Furthermore, he accused the opposition of attempting to shield corrupt officials and undermine governance reforms initiated by the BJP-led government under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
The Education Minister also touched upon another contentious issue, dismissing AAP's allegations regarding the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB). He asserted that nearly 16,000 candidates had been selected through the board since 2022 and accused the opposition of deliberately spreading confusion on this front as well.
The political slugfest highlights the deep-seated tensions between the two parties in the capital's governance landscape. While the DoE maintains its order is a procedural step for safety and compliance, the AAP portrays it as a symbolic assault on the education system. The resolution of this specific issue remains entangled in the wider political battle for narrative control in Delhi.
