Is Nitish Kumar following the Mamata model of administration for Bihar? Recent events seem to suggest so. On the 29th of August, the Bihar Education Department issued a notification that raised eyebrows across the state. The notification announced a significant reduction in the number of festival holidays between September and December, from 23 to just 11.
Additional Chief Secretary KK Pathak was responsible for this notification, and it was framed as a measure to improve the school education system in Bihar. While the intention behind the move might seem noble, it has sparked controversy due to the way it affects the festival holidays for Hindus in the Bihar.
Bihar Education Department reduces the number of festive holidays in government schools from 23 to 11 between September to December. pic.twitter.com/Qe6BlAXqh8
— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2023
The primary issue at hand is the drastic reduction in festival holidays for Hindus. According to the notification, the Rakshabandhan holiday has been completely scrapped, while the number of holidays for Durga Puja has been reduced from six to three. Similarly, the nine holidays previously allotted for Diwali and Chhath have now been reduced to just four.
Adding to the concern is the fact that the limited holiday allowance is further reduced by the fact that some of these holidays fall on Sundays. For instance, the 3-day Durga Puja holiday includes a Sunday, as does the 2-day Chhath holiday. Even the lone Diwali holiday falls on a Sunday, which significantly diminishes its impact.
Previously, there were nine days of holidays from Diwali to Chhath Puja, providing ample time for celebrations and family gatherings. With the new holiday schedule, there will be only one day off for Diwali and two days for Chhath Puja, including a Sunday. This reduction in holiday time has understandably irked many Hindus in Bihar.
Also read: Who shall be PM: I.N.D.I.A creates its own “Royal Rumble”!
What has added fuel to the fire is the fact that none of the Islamic festivals have been affected by these changes. This imbalance has led to a massive outrage among the Hindu community, with some accusing the government of favoring one religion over another. BJP MP Giriraj Singh expressed his frustration by posting, “Education Department, Bihar Government has cancelled holidays on Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja. Tomorrow, they may impose Sharia and ban Hindu festivals altogether.”
शिक्षा विभाग,बिहार सरकार द्वारा दुर्गा पूजा, दिवाली और छठ पूजा की छुट्टियां रद्द कर दी गई हैं।
कल संभव है कि बिहार में शरिया लागू कर दी जाये और हिंदू त्योहार मनाने पर रोक लग जाये।— Shandilya Giriraj Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@girirajsinghbjp) August 30, 2023
Teachers in Bihar are also feeling the impact of these changes. Seema Kumari, a Patna government school teacher, expressed her concerns, stating, “This is high-handedness by the government. They are giving only one holiday on a festival like ‘Chhath.’ It is definite that the number of children would be very low on those festival days. We have to come and teach whether two or 20 or 200 students come.”
The Teachers association of Bihar, known as ‘Educators of Bihar,’ issued a statement condemning the decision. They pointed out that even after accounting for 52 Sundays and 60 holidays on festivals, schools still operate for 253 days in a year. They deemed the Education Department’s decision as dictatorial and called for a reversal of the notification, threatening protests that could shake the foundation of the state government.
शिक्षा का अधिकार अधिकार अधिनियम-2009 के अनुसार वर्ष में 1-5 कक्षा 200 दिन और 6-8 कक्षा 220 दिन संचालित करने का आदेश हैं एक वर्ष में 52 रविवार और 60 पर्व त्यौहार की छुट्टियां घटा कर भी स्कूल में 253 दिन वर्ग संचालित होता है फिर भी छुट्टियों को रद्द करना शिक्षा विभाग की तानाशाही…
— Educators of Bihar (@BiharTeacherCan) August 29, 2023
However, given Nitish Kumar’s attitude, it seems unlikely that any major changes will be made. In response to the controversy, Nitish Kumar defended the reduction in holidays, saying, “We want to teach children so they get a good education, so what is wrong with that (reducing holidays)? If any official or anyone has a problem with it, they should come and tell me. I will listen to everyone.”
He further emphasized his willingness to listen to all perspectives, saying, “I listen to everyone and for everyone’s benefit. So why worry? I want children to get good education on time.” Nitish Kumar’s stance on this issue suggests that he may not be inclined to reconsider the controversial decision.
It’s worth noting that Nitish Kumar’s approach to this issue seems consistent with his past actions. He previously vehemently defended the name of Bakhtiyarpur, despite its association with a controversial historical figure. This steadfastness in his decisions, whether popular or not, is a hallmark of his leadership style.
While the government’s intention to improve the education system might look great on paper, the perceived bias in reducing holidays for Hindu festivals has created a divisive situation. Nitish Kumar’s unwavering stance on the matter indicates that this issue may not be resolved easily. As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen whether the Bihar government will revisit its decision and consider the concerns of all communities in the state.
Support TFI:
Support us to strengthen the ‘Right’ ideology of cultural nationalism by purchasing the best quality garments from TFI-STORE.COM
