The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Schools must celebrate I-Day’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Schools must celebrate I-Day’

Staff Reporter

School failed to celebrate Independence Day
All schools asked to celebrate national festivals

BANGALORE: The State Government on Tuesday contended before the Karnataka High Court that all educational institutions, including schools, must celebrate Independence Day, Republic Day and Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations.

In its statement of objections, the State said it was mandatory for all educational institutions to celebrate these three designated national festivals so as to inculcate in the children patriotic fervour and respect towards the nation.

The State had filed the statement after Excel Education Society of Shimoga had challenged the action of the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI), Shimoga, in withdrawing recognition to the school after it failed to observe the Independence Day celebrations this year.

It said the schools were started after obtaining permission as per the Education Act and Section 7 of the Act specifically says that institutions must respect the Constitution, National Flag and National Anthem. The DDPI had warned the head mistress of the institution. and she had undertaken to celebrate Independence Day. However, this time too, the school failed to conduct Independence Day celebrations. The government advocate said the institution had deliberately failed to celebrate Independence Day. He submitted that the Government on January 29, 2007 issued a circular to all educational institutions in the State, making it mandatory for them to celebrate Independence Day on August 15, Republic Day on January 26 and Kannada Rajyotsava on November 1.

Justice B.S. Patil directed the secretary of the society and the school head mistress to file affidavits undertaking to celebrate Independence Day, Republic Day and Kannada Rajyotsava every year.

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