The Congress party in Rajasthan launched a sharp attack on the state's school education department after it issued a controversial directive asking all government and private schools to observe December 6, the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, as Shaurya Diwas. The order, which was issued late Saturday, was withdrawn within 12 hours following widespread criticism.
Political Firestorm Over Controversial Directive
Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra condemned the move, calling it evidence of the Bhajan Lal Sharma government's "misdirected priorities." Dotasra stated that the rapid withdrawal of the order exposed the "internal backlash" faced by School Education Minister Madan Dilawar.
"Dilawar is the only minister in the Bhajan Lal government whose primary job seems to be releasing controversial statements and fake announcements. He has become the biggest embarrassment for the government," Dotasra asserted.
Confusion and Denial Within Education Department
The Congress leader highlighted the chaotic situation within the education department, noting that officials denied issuing the order on Sunday, despite it being circulated through the minister's official WhatsApp channel on Saturday night. This contradiction revealed significant administrative confusion surrounding the controversial directive.
Chief whip and Adarsh Nagar MLA Rafeek Khan joined the criticism, referencing Dilawar's recent remark where the minister encouraged students to wear traditional attire, only to later question whether "any girl was wearing a burqa." Khan argued that the Shaurya Diwas directive reflected a mindset incompatible with Rajasthan's inclusive character.
Broader Concerns About Education Priorities
Khan emphasized that at a time when Rajasthan urgently needs to address critical educational challenges, the minister remained focused on divisive rhetoric. "People of Rajasthan have repeatedly rejected communal politics. Dilawar is attempting to revive issues already settled by Supreme Court," he stated.
The MLA outlined pressing educational needs that require immediate attention, including:
- Boosting school enrollment rates
- Improving learning outcomes across the state
- Upgrading educational infrastructure
- Expediting teacher recruitment processes
"He only understands Hindu-Muslim politics," Khan concluded, expressing frustration with the minister's approach to education governance.
Civil Society Demands Permanent Withdrawal
Meanwhile, the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and several civil society organizations demanded that Chief Minister Sharma clarify whether the directive had been permanently withdrawn or merely postponed. They described Sunday's cancellation as "mere eyewash," alleging that the fundamental intent behind the move remained unchanged.
PUCL president Kavita Srivastava argued that the directive violated multiple constitutional provisions and educational policies, including:
- Articles 14, 15 and 25 of the Constitution
- The Right to Education Act
- The National Education Policy 2020
These legal frameworks emphasize equality, secularism, and the promotion of constitutional values in educational institutions. Civil society groups also expressed concern over the clarification issued by the Director of School Education, Sitaram Jat, who dismissed media reports about the directive as "baseless." PUCL characterized this as an attempt to conceal the government's true intentions.
The rapid sequence of events - from the order's issuance on Saturday night to its withdrawal within 12 hours - has raised questions about the decision-making process within the state education department and the broader priorities of the Rajasthan government.
