Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar education dept warns private schools not to force students to dress as Santa Claus; voluntary participation only.
Jaipur: Private schools in the Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan have received a warning from the education department not to force their children to dress like Santa Claus for Christmas.
Ashok Wadhwa, an additional district education officer, issued an order on December 22 stating that if a complaint is made in this regard, action will be taken. According to Wadhwa, schools shouldn’t unduly urge parents or children to take part in these kinds of events.
“Action will be taken under rules if any school is found forcing students,” said the decree.
According to Wadhwa, there is no problem if Christmas-related events are planned with the parents’ and kids’ permission. However, the relevant school administration shall be held accountable if parents are pressured or pupils are coerced.
He noted that December 25 is also celebrated as “Veer Bal Diwas” to honor the Sahibzadas’ supreme sacrifice and that educational institutions should uphold balance and sensitivity in their curricula without resorting to coercion.
The judgment cited a complaint made by the Bharat-Tibet Sahyog Manch to the district education officials, claiming that certain schools have been forcing kids to dress up as Santa Claus in recent years, which has angered parents.
According to the organization, Sriganganagar is mostly a Hindu-Sikh community, hence no specific customs should be enforced. PTI SDA MNK MNK