J&K directs education dept to sent students, teachers to ABVP rally

Srinagar: In a shocking development, the Jammu and Kashmir administration ordered the education department in the Union territory’s Poonch district to ensure the participation of students and teachers in a rally organised by the student’s wing of BJP, ABVP, which is also affiliated with extreme right-wing religious organisation RSS.

Following the administration’s order on January 22, several students and teachers took part in the Tiranga rally organised by ABVP (Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarti Parishad.

The particular order by the administration has sparked controversy in the region as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) alleged that the National Conference (NC) government there was forcing students to attend the ABVP rally, an ideological event, The Wire reported. The party also blamed the NC government for using education as a propaganda tool.

Also, a leading tribal students' association in the district demanded an inquiry into the incident.

Following the rally, many have raised serious questions about the functioning of the education department and its activities in the UT. It also aroused doubts on the efficacy of the elected government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The government has been facing strong criticism for cozying up to the BJP-ruled Centre, The Wire reported.

A letter written by the additional district magistrate of Poonch to the chief education officer (CEO), has been widely circulated on social media on Friday. The letter, dating January 22, directed the education department to dispense 40 to 50 students along with two teachers for the Tiranga Rally.