Warning against participating children in school Christmas celebrations without parents’ consent in MP
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An education official has stirred controversy by issuing an order warning schools about potential disciplinary action if students participate in Christmas-related events without explicit written permission from their parents in Madhya Pradesh's Shajapur district.
The directive, dated December 14, specifically mentions the need for parental consent for activities like dressing up as Santa Claus or a Christmas tree.
District Education Officer Vivek Dubey clarified that the order does not outright ban Christmas-related events in schools. Instead, it aims to address past instances where parents complained about their children participating in such events without consent.
Dubey stated, "It's better to address such controversies beforehand rather than acting after the incident has occurred."
The order reads, "Unilateral disciplinary action will be proposed against your organization if there are complaints in this regard," emphasizing the importance of obtaining parental approval to avoid any "untoward situations."
Notably, last year, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad had urged schools in Madhya Pradesh not to involve children in dressing up as Santa Claus or bringing Christmas trees without parental permission.
The organization claimed that such activities amounted to an attack on Hindu culture and alleged a conspiracy to influence Hindu children with Christianity.