Jaipur : The academic calendar (Rajasthan Shivira Panchang) released by the Rajasthan Education Department for the new session of government schools has started a political debate. Shivira Panchang proposes to celebrate Swarn Mukut Mastak Diwas on August 5 to commemorate the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. It has also been announced to celebrate Veer Savarkar Jayanti on 28 May. On August 5, 2019, Article 370 of the Constitution giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir was repealed. The Education Department released the calendar Shivira Panchang for the academic session 2024-25 on Sunday. It includes Surya Namaskar Day on February 4, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti on February 7, Mother’s Day-Father’s Day on February 14 and Subhash Chandra Bose Day on January 23.
Congress protested fiercely
Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasara criticized the BJP government’s decision to celebrate the removal of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, in schools. He said, ‘This move of the government is aimed at serving political interests rather than educational interests. Congress opposes this politicization of education and the state government’s imposition of its divisive ideology on students.’
Celebration of consecration of Ram Mandir
Earlier, the Primary School Education Department had published its annual calendar on July 9, which included the celebration of the consecration of Ram temple.
‘Akbar was glorified’
After taking charge on February 26, School Education Minister Madan Dilawar had criticised the portrayal of figures like Savarkar and Maharana Pratap in history. He argued that Mughal emperor Akbar was wrongly glorified in previous stories. Savarkar’s role in the freedom struggle has been wrongly written in history.
‘Savarkar apologized to the British instead of fighting’
Congress spokesperson Swarnim Chaturvedi condemned the new calendar, saying it is an attempt to politicise education and propagate Hindutva ideology. He criticised the minister’s approach, saying it does not focus on education and aims to teach students about Savarkar, who apologised to the British instead of fighting them.
BJP spokesperson defended it
BJP spokesperson Mukesh Pareek, while defending the calendar, accused the Congress of doing appeasement politics. He said that the BJP’s intention is to educate students about personalities like Savarkar and Maharana Pratap as it believes that their stories will inspire them. The BJP government will ensure that students take inspiration from the lives of great leaders like Maharana Pratap and Savarkar.
