Hindu Organizations Demand Action Against Private Schools for Ignoring Dussehra Holidays
Hindu groups in Bengaluru are urging action against private schools holding classes during Dussehra holidays, prioritizing Christmas breaks instead.
Bengaluru, October 5 (Daily Kiran) : Hindu organizations in Bengaluru are calling for strict action against private schools that are reportedly conducting classes and exams during the Dussehra holidays, which the state government has declared from October 3 to October 21. Instead, these schools are allegedly offering breaks during Christmas in December.
On Monday, representatives from the Shri Ram Sena-Karnataka and Hindu Janajagruti Vedike submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Director of School Education for Ramanagara and Bengaluru South. They demanded the enforcement of the government’s holiday order.
According to the organizations, the state government announced a 19-day holiday for schools and colleges to allow students to spend time with their families and appreciate Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage during this significant festival. However, despite complaints from parents and the public, some private institutions continue to hold regular classes and exams, violating government directives.
The organizations emphasized that conducting classes during this holiday period creates unnecessary pressure and stress for students, undermining the very purpose of the holidays. They condemned the violation of the holiday order and urged the education department to take strict action against those schools that disregard it.
Paramesh Gowda K., district president of Shri Ram Sena-Karnataka, claimed that this issue affects the religious sentiments of Hindus. He pointed out that while some private schools do not observe Dussehra holidays, they offer extended breaks during Christmas instead.
The organizations have been opposing this practice for the past three years and are urging the education department to ensure compliance with the government’s holiday notification.
However, D. Shashikumar from the Karnataka Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools (KAMS) disagreed with these demands, labeling them as “completely wrong.” He stated that private and unaided schools must adhere to the prescribed syllabus and teaching duration and operate according to designated school days. He noted that while schools can be granted some flexibility for local festivals, they are typically allowed only three to four days off based on local circumstances.
