Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Higher Primary School in Mangalapete reportedly violated the government directives which says that the campuses cannot be used for the non-government activities.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — A controversy erupted over the RSS event being held at a government school in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district even though non-government activities are not allowed in the government schools.
The issue came to light when a video showing some men in the uniform of Hindutva organisation have gathered to hold an event. A 17-minute clip shows that a uniformed man is addressing the men who are sitting on the ground.
A video of the event has been recorded from outside the campus.
The video raked up criticism about the event as the school was violating the government directives which says that the campuses can not be used for the non-government activities.
The school in the viral video was identified as Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Higher Primary School in Mangalapete.
After the video went viral, the authorities ordered the concerned officials to look into the matter.
“After the video went viral, we called up the school heads and checked. However, they answered that no campus premises were given for any event. Further, the block education officer of Mangaluru North was asked to look into the issue and submit a report at the earliest,” said Venkatesha Subraya Patagara, deputy director of public instruction (DDPI) of Dakshina Kannada while talking to reporters.
Patagara pointed out that a government circular which was issued in 2013 prohibits any non-government activities at the school premises including the grounds.
The media reports said that RSS has been conducting its activities at the school every Sunday. Reports indicate that the issue was brought to light by the local gram panchayat and the education department, prompting scrutiny of the presence of RSS in educational institutions.
In July this year, the officials had again circulated a circular to all schools under the government’s jurisdiction after a guru puja was held allegedly by the RSS in the classroom of Karimbila Government Lower Primary School in Kadak.
The event had also sparked controversy after pictures of the event were circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism and public outcry over the use of an educational institution for non-academic purposes. The headmaster was served notice for allowing the puja at the school premises.
Patagara had said that the authorities will take strict action against those teachers who allow non-academic activities at the school premises and the headmasters will be held accountable.
“This circular was just a reminder to our teachers, asking them not to give out aided and unaided government school campus space for any non-academic activities. We will take strict action against those teachers who violate and fail to follow the same,” emphasised Patagara.
Patagara further said that the grounds or premises of government and unaided schools should not be utilised for non-educational activities at any time, and no permission should be granted for such use.
“Accordingly, it has been instructed that no proposals or requests for permission to use school grounds or premises in all government/aided schools in the Dakshina Kannada district should be submitted. It has also been stated in the circular that no permission should be granted for any events other than educational activities at the school level. If this order is violated, the respective school heads will be held responsible,” Venkatesha Subraya Patagara elaborated.
